Relief in sight as weather change rescues Northern haze victims
Relief in sight asweather change rescues Northern haze victims
22 March 2007
published by etna.mcot.net
Bangkok, Thailand — Governmentofficials are considering removing three northern provinces from the emergencydisaster zones list next week, according to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister andSocial Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham.
Mr. Paiboon, who also heads the smoke response programme for thenorthern provinces, said the situation has improved and the hazeblanketing northern Thailand has thinned in the past week due to betterweather and the cooperation of agencies concerned.
The centre will meet with governors and agencies concerned on Monday to assessthe situation and will declare whether it will remove Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai,and Mae Hong Son from the emergency disaster zones.
The meeting will also discuss long-term plans to solve the problem.
In Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district, dust particles have dropped from 91 to 64microgrammes per cubic metre, while in Mae Hong Son, particulate matter wasmeasured at 166 microgramme per cubic metre, reduced from 284microgrammes per cubic metre.
The situation also improved in Chiang Rai after heavy rain on Wednesday.
