AFP, SYDNEYForecasts of heavy rain yesterday offered hope in the months-long battle to contain Australia’s unprecedented bushfires, but smoke lifted pollution levels in the nation’s second-biggest city to among the worst in the world. Optimism was further boosted yesterday with heavy rain forecast for some of the hotspots in the most populated eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria. “It’s some pretty good news,” New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. Pollution in Melbourne, which is normally ranked among the world’s most liveable cities, was rated “hazardous,” with health authorities warning people to stay indoors. The bushfires have killed at least 27 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and burnt 10 million hectares of land.

Source: Taipei Times January 15, 2020 09:08 UTC