With smog levels at an all-time high in Chiang Mai, Thailand, thousands of residents are now dealing with pollution-related health issues.

Between the period of April 3 to 9, doctors treated up to 447 patients for eye inflammations, while 8,747 had heart problems, 4,638 were diagnosed with respiratory disorders, and 539 suffered from skin irritations.

Southeast Asia is currently dealing with an intense heatwave due to the El Niño phenomenon, which is not helping with the Thai province's air pollution problems.

On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) registered at an unhealthy level of 113, reported the Asian Correspondent.

According to tests conducted by Chiang Mai University, the level of small dust particles in the province ranges between 159 to 183 micrograms per cubic metre. The safe limit is 120 micrograms per cubic metre.

The number is expected to rise to 200 micrograms per cubic metre in the next few days due to the lack of rain in northern Thailand.

In lieu of the worsening smog, Chiang Mai authorities have advised its residents to put on respiratory masks when leaving their homes.

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Smog in Chiang Mai is common between the months of February and April, when corn fields are set alight to make way for new crops.

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