Chiang Mai's air pollution still high
Air quality in Chiang Mai remains below recommended standards with fine-particle dust levels reaching twice the standard. However, the weather bureau said pollution would ease this week.
In Huai Thung Thao public park in Mae Rim district joggers reportedly suffered respiratory difficulties from smoke caused by forest fires. Some 400 children and staff at Wiang Ping Children's Home have suffered from eye irritation and coughing for several days. Chiang Mai City has been shrouded in smog since March 1. Fine-particle dust levels were between 190 micrograms and 243 micrograms per square metre (mpsm). The standard level is 120mpsm. The northern centre of the Meteorological Department reported that low-pressure areas from China were trapping forest-fire smoke. The smoke is affecting residents, but the department expects the situation to improve this coming week as winds and rain ease weather conditions. Chiang Mai mayor Boonlert Buranuprakorn has ordered residents not to incinerate refuse. Boonlert said rain-making planned for yesterday had had to be cancelled owing to low humidity and excessive smoke from fires. However, royal rain-making office director for the upper North, Somchai Reaungsuthi-nareuparp said cloud-seeding would be attempted again today.
The Nation CHIANG MAI
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