Ultra-violet rays, which can also cause sunburn and cataracts, are expected to reach high to very high level in some Vietnamese localities from Monday into Wednesday, Viet Nam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned.

Very high UV levels are predicted for the Central and Southern regions of Viet Nam. Photo: TTXVN

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, UV levels will be reaching 7, 9, 9 respectively in Ha Noi while level 9, 9, 10 respectively predicted for Hai Phong City; 9, 9, 9 respectively for Thua Thien –Hue Province; 10, 10, 9 respectively for Da Nang; 10, 10, 9 respectively for Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An City; 10, 10, 10 respectively for Khanh Hoa Province’s Nha Trang City; 7, 7, 10 respectively for Ho Chi Minh City; 9, 8, 8 respectively for Can Tho; and 7, 7, 9 respectively for Ca Mau.

The time when UV exposure is likely to be greatest is between 10 a.m. and 1pm

While UV is important for getting vitamin D and keeping us healthy, too much of it can cause skin cancer or eye cataracts.

The aim of the index is warn people of increased risk, and encourage them change their behaviour to protect themselves against the risks of skin cancer and damage.

Health experts recommend that people need to wear sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide brim hats to keep delicate skin on the neck, ears, and face safe, UV protective glasses, in order protect their skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Besides, people should take vitamin C supplements from fruits, use regularly sunscreen before they go outside, even on cloudy days.

The national forecasters also said due to the effects of the influence of the developing southern low pressure trough associated with a strong foehn wind in the southwest region, soaring heatwave conditions are likely to prevail northwest Viet Nam, and the region from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen, including Da Nang, the maximum temperature could hit over 36 degree Celsius in some of their parts on Monday. Sweltering temperatures of 35 and 36 degree Celsius are common across parts of these regions today, Monday, May 17.

After a brief cool-down on Tuesday, high temperatures will come back on Wednesday in these regions, Viet Nam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.

All of this heat is expected to up the fire risk in residential settings and forests across Central Viet Nam, including Da Nang, the national forecasters said.

This heat wave will bring life-threatening conditions to many people working outdoors. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are potentially serious conditions that can occur if they get too hot. They usually happen during a heatwave or in a hot climate. Heat stroke results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures - usually in combination with dehydration which leads to failure of the body's temperature control system.

Hence, anyone outdoors during the hottest times of the day will need to drink plenty of fluids, and take breaks from strenuous activities to lower the risk for heat-related illnesses.

Older people, those with underlying health conditions, and very young children are all more at risk from the higher temperatures.  They will be at the highest risk for heatstroke or heat exhaustion, and should stay in air-conditioned locations when possible.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – BAO TIN TUC – Translating by H.L