Viet Nam’s National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging authorities in the parts from Quang Binh to Ninh Thuan, including Da Nang, to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to strong winds at sea due to the strong influence of an intense cold front and the northeast monsoon.

From Friday night, the Gulf of Tonkin and the Northern East Sea (including the waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago), could witness strong cold northeasterly wind at levels 6 to 7, and the gusts reaching levels 8 to 9, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-5m. The offshore areas of Mid-central region will see gradually increasing winds at level 6, and gustiness of level 7, and experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-4m high.

The authorities in affected areas must keep a close watch on severe weather development, and keep owners of vessels operating at sea timely informed about severe weather conditions in order to help them take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters during the bad weather. The focus must be on making the resources available in order to organize timely rescue of any person in distress at sea and provide timely support for those who need it during severe weather.

Saturday into next Wednesday, February, freezing temperatures are expected to strike the northern region and North Central Coast. The national weather forecaster has issued an extreme cold weather alert for Northern Viet Nam and Thanh Hoa from Sunday into next Tuesday as temperatures are expected to dip 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, and 3 to 6 degrees Celsius in their mountainous areas. Frigid temperatures can be expected in high mountains where can be as cold as zero on the temperature scales with the chance of frost and snow for these areas.

Authorities in the warning areas are asked to take appropriate measures to prepare for severe cold weather. Residents should be recommended taking actions to help protect against severe cold and freezing temperatures as exposure to extreme cold can be dangerous to people's health. People are urged to keep warm, eat well and stay active. Those who need to take extra care include older adults and kids along with those living with a long term condition such as heart disease. People, especially those living in mountainous areas, are recommended to use caution and limit outdoor exposure under cold conditions. In addition, they should not sleep with burning coal in closed room.  

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – translating by H.L