Residents in Thailand’s Chiang Mai city are still living with the
haze pollution, which has sent almost 20,000 people in the northern city
to hospital over the past month.
A thick blanket
of haze still covers Chiang Mai city, forcing motorcycle riders to wear
filtering masks and goggles. With the reduced visibility, motorists have
to exercise increased caution when on the road.
The
air micro particle reading still exceeds the allowable standard. At
Chiang Mai City Hall, the reading was 190 micrograms per cubic
meter, whereas a reading of 202 micrograms per cubic meter was measured
at another location in Mueang district.
The Chiang Mai
public health office disclosed that in February, 20,787 people were
hospitalised due to the effects of the haze. The figure was 18,406
people during March 1-21. Most of the patients were children and the
elderly from San Patong, Mae Rim, Mae Wang, and Saraphi districts.
The office also advised people to not do exercises in the open during this period.-VNA