KATHMANDU: In the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May), twenty-six deaths were reported nationwide due to fire incidents.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, various parts of the country witnessed 861 cases of infernos and 573 incidents of forest fires over the past month.

The surge in such disasters is attributed to increased temperatures and inadequate winter rainfall.

Of the reported cases, twenty people lost their lives and seventy-three sustained injuries in fire incidents, while six fatalities and thirteen injuries resulted from forest fires, stated Dijan Bhattarai, the Authority’s spokesperson and information officer.

A total of 1,364 families were affected by infernos, with an additional 404 families impacted by wildfires.

During this period, eight deaths were caused by lightning strikes, two by altitude sickness, and one each by flooding and animal assault.

The Department of Forests and Soil Conservation noted that this is likely the first instance where Baisakh has recorded the highest number of forest fire incidents.

Fire occurrences in Nepal are typically frequent from mid-January to mid-June, with the Terai region and districts in the inner Madhesh being particularly susceptible, according to Govinda Kumar Shrestha, a forest officer with the Department.

It is reported that most forest fires are deliberate, set by locals to promote vegetation growth.

Additionally, lack of public awareness and improper disposal of cigarette butts are contributing factors to the recurring forest fires in Nepal.