Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) has predicted prolonged heatwave in Northern and Central Viet Nam in July.

NCHMF service has issued an extended forecast of heatwave impact in these areas. More rounds of prolonged, dangerous heat will be more likely in northern and central regions. Midland and delta areas of the northern region will experience high temperatures for consecutive 10 to 15 days in the first half of July while such a hot weather condition may last longer in North Central Coast and Mid- Central region.

The July average temperature for the country will be about 0.5 degrees Celsius above previous years. In particular, the temperatures in the northern region, north central coast and mid-central region may be 0.5-1 degrees Celsius above previous years.

One to two named storms and tropical depressions are likely to develop in the East Sea area, and may affect the Northern region and North Central Coast, in July, meteorologists at NCHMF said.

The southwest monsoon is likely to trigger showers and thunderstorms for many days in Central Highlands and the southern region, with localized thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall expected across these areas during the late afternoon hours.

Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds which will greatly affect the production and social life nationwide, especially in northern and southern regions, plus Central Highlands, the national weather service says.

The combined effects of hot and low humidity conditions along with high winds blowing from the southwest pose an increased fire or explosion risk in residential settings in central region. In addition, the extreme heat, coupled with drought conditions across the region, help fuel wildfires here.

The extreme heat can be dangerous for the elderly and people with medical risks and mental-health issues. Health experts said residents in the warning areas should try to stay cool and drink plenty of water.

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. Residents in the warning areas are advised to limit their outdoor activities between11:00am and 4:00pm during periods of hot weather.

This summer, Viet Nam will likely face extreme heat as the country will see widespread heatwave with temperatures above average in previous years.

Heat waves are forecast to occur in the northern region from May to the first half of August, and in the Central region from May to late August. The heatwave is expected to peak in the Northern region from June to July, and in the Central region from June to early August.

Notably, this year, extreme heat events are more longer, and more intense than in 2022. Single events can last up to 7 days nationwide, but more than 7 days in the Central region.

Reporting by BAO TIN TUC – Translating by H.L