Forest-Fire Smog Envelops South

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Forest-fire smog envelops South

By The Nation

Haze from Indonesian forest fires has blanketed the Southern province of Trang, causing residents to develop eye and respiratory irritations and prompting the Trang public health authority to warn people with allergies to stay indoors and wear face masks.

Trang public health deputy chief Dr Paisal Keu-aroon said the haze that has covered Trang for a few days has now became more severe and could impact people's health. He urged people not to exercise outdoors and to cover their mouths and noses while going outside. Respiratory patients should see a doctor if having breathing difficulties. He also advised against drinking rainwater or taking showers in rainwater.

The haze has caused poor visibility of only 500-1,000 metres, but aeroplanes could still land and take off normally.

The air-quality index in Songkhla's Hat Yai district is hovering midway since the region was blanketed by the Indonesian haze, Thai News Agency reported yesterday.

Chongchit Neeranatmetheekul, director of the local environmental office of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said smog in the South assessed at air-quality monitoring stations found the air quality to be near the middle of the scale and was not a serious health threat. However, thin haze has still caused poor visibility, and people with allergies, the elderly and small children are advised to stay indoors.

The haze probably comes from forest fires on Sumatra, which envelops the Thai South annually. The Pollution Control Department is monitoring the situation continuously.

In Satun province, smog covered several areas for the third consecutive day yesterday and was becoming thicker. The Pollution Control Department dispatched mobile monitoring units to inspect air quality and the provincial public health office is advising on health guidelines and practices for local residents.

Masks are available for the public at public health offices and hospitals in their communities.

-- The Nation 2011-07-08

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Southern haze relieving

BANGKOK, 9 July 2011 (NNT) – The haze enveloping six southern provinces of Thailand has eased off, and the sky is clearer for the time being thanks to strong wind and occasional rainfalls in the areas.

Speaking about the current haze situation, West Coast Southern Meteorological Centre Director Wiwat Intarapanich reported that after it rained yesterday, the weather in southern provinces is better although slight haze remains in some areas.

The haze has been blanketing six southern provinces of Thailand, including Ranong, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Satun and Trang.

It is also forecast that there would be more rainfalls on the western side of the south as the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea is likely to get stronger, and the monsoon trough would pass through Myanmar, Laos and the upper part of Vietnam.

Moreover, strong wind along the upper part of the Andaman Sea is also expected to help blow haze particles and relieve the situation.

The haze is caused by a wildfire in Sumatra Island of Indonesia, and the weather in the south of the kingdom is getting affected from the issue.

-- NNT 2011-07-09

[bedbugy]

yes we know it's been going on for years