Chiang Mai, the heart of the Thai north, has once again been blanketed by haze with small dust particles measured at 140 microgrammes per cubic metre yesterday, higher than the standard level of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

The situation is causing harm to the health of locals, prompting deputy governor of Chiang Mai Province Chana Paengpiboon to call a meeting with concerned agencies to discuss its solutions.

The Royal Thai Air Force, meanwhile, used aircraft to spray water to moisten the air, along with artificial rainmaking conducted by the provincial rainmaking centre.

More officials were also mobilised into areas with severe heat, while the deputy governor ordered every relevant agency to stricter control on open-air burning of wastes and dried crops.

Thin haze was also reported in nearby Lampang Province, with the level of small dust particles measured in the heart of the city at 122 microgrammes per cubic metre, slightly higher than the standard level.

The Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department of Pollution Control also cautioned that the levels of small dust particles in the northern region could further rise by another 5-10 percent.

- Bernama