The severe drought and water shortage that are raging in the central region will continue until mid-September, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned on Thursday.

Last month, scorching weather hit most of the central and northern parts of the country, with the hottest temperature recorded at 42 degrees Celsius in Quang Tri Province on May 30.

This temperature is higher than the record high of 41.7 degrees recorded in 1983.

A soldier extracts clean water from a large tank to provide it for residents in Ninh Thuan Province

From now to the end of August, the national average temperature range will be 0.5-1 degree Celsius higher than the average rate of the past many years, the center said.

Today, the baking weather continues in the region, with the overall hottest temperature reaching over 39 degrees.

The rainfall in the first period of the rainy season has been lower than the normal average rate, Dang Van Dung, deputy director of the station, said.

For example, the average rainfall in Dong Nai Province in May was only 45mm, while that in past years was much higher, at 228mm, Dung said.

The duration of sunshine in the same period was longer than in the past, resulting in the recent hot and muggy weather, he added.

(Source: Tuoitrenews)