In Bangkok (Source: Reuters) Hanoi (VNA) – Serious air pollution on January30 forced Bangkok authorities to order the three-day closure of nearly 450 localschools.
Governor of Bangkok Aswin Kwanmuang said the pollution couldlast till February 3-4 so that the shutdown is expected to reduce road traffic.
He said the administration will soon issue a warning urgingpeople to refrain from outdoor activities and exercise, and has deployed water-sprayingdrones to reduce haze in major areas.
People were asked to limit open-air burning of materials,and have even been advised to use shorter incense sticks in the upcoming LunarNew Year celebrations.
The Thai capital has been shrouded in murky haze for weeksdue to exhaust from traffic, unfettered construction, the burning of cropstraw, and pollution from factories getting trapped in the city.
Air Visual, an independent online air quality index (AQI)monitor, on January 24 pegged Bangkok at the "unhealthy" level of171, up from 156 in the middle of the month.
The measurements are higher than some cities in China butwell below the Indian capital New Delhi.
Greenpeace Thailand Country Director Tara Buakamsri said thelevels in Bangkok were the worst in at least a year.-VNA
Governor of Bangkok Aswin Kwanmuang said the pollution couldlast till February 3-4 so that the shutdown is expected to reduce road traffic.
He said the administration will soon issue a warning urgingpeople to refrain from outdoor activities and exercise, and has deployed water-sprayingdrones to reduce haze in major areas.
People were asked to limit open-air burning of materials,and have even been advised to use shorter incense sticks in the upcoming LunarNew Year celebrations.
The Thai capital has been shrouded in murky haze for weeksdue to exhaust from traffic, unfettered construction, the burning of cropstraw, and pollution from factories getting trapped in the city.
Air Visual, an independent online air quality index (AQI)monitor, on January 24 pegged Bangkok at the "unhealthy" level of171, up from 156 in the middle of the month.
The measurements are higher than some cities in China butwell below the Indian capital New Delhi.
Greenpeace Thailand Country Director Tara Buakamsri said thelevels in Bangkok were the worst in at least a year.-VNA
VNA
