CHIANG MAI, March 22 – Persistent haze in this northern Thai province reached a critical level this week, leading concerned authorities to begin spraying water in the air to increase humidity and remove some dust particles from the air, even as they urged local residents to stay indoors for their safety.
The level of dust particles measured in Chiang Mai’s city centre was recorded at 222 microgrammes per cubic metre (mg/pcm).
The standard level is 120 mg/pcm.
The highest dust particle level was measured in nearby Mae Hong Son province, followed by Tak, Phayao, Prae, Lamphun, Nan and Lampang, while aerial picture captured by a satellite also spot forest fire in some of those provinces.
In Chiang Mai, people began using masks to prevent irritation from the smog.
Chiang Mai mayor Tassanai Buranapakorn said the municipality has begun spraying water into the air along the city’s ancient canals three times a day at 9am, 1pm and 3pm. which are the hottest periods of the day.
As 3pm is the most critical period of the day due to heat, Mayor Tassanai advised local residents to stay indoors for personal safety.
