Bangkok:Governor Chatchart Sittipunt has announced a series of measures aimed at reducing air pollution and addressing potential drought issues in Bangkok. These initiatives target the ongoing PM2.5 dust problem and prepare for possible drought conditions exacerbated by El Niño.
According to Thai News Agency, the Governor outlined three main strategies to combat PM2.5 pollution. The first measure involves enhanced forecasting through the use of Superstation equipment from China, which provides advanced, real-time air quality monitoring and PM2.5 analysis. This technology will allow for a better understanding of dust behavior and enable more detailed predictions. The second measure is vehicle control, specifically through the Green List project, which will now include commercial four-wheeled vehicles. Vehicles failing to meet the set standards will be barred from entering certain areas on days with high dust levels. The third measure focuses on controlling biomass burning by coordinating with surrounding provinces and the Ministry of Interior to strictly enforce regulations against such practices.
The Governor also addressed concerns regarding potential droughts, noting that despite some areas experiencing flooding, the overall risk of drought remains due to reservoir water levels being below 100%. He emphasized the importance of not becoming complacent and being prepared for possible situations. Discussions with neighboring provinces aim to assist farmers in reducing burning or adopting appropriate methods to mitigate the risk of increased burning due to drought conditions.