Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting issued a colder weather alert Thursday for Northern Viet Nam due to the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures in the region.

Frost and hoar-rost covering trees in the forest of the Hoang Lien National Park near the Fansipan cable car station. (Photo: VNA)

A severe cold weather alert has been issued for the northern region as national forecasters warn of bitter cold temperatures across the region from Sunday, December 17.  The frigid temperatures are expected to linger into next Wednesday, December 20, and will be widespread across the region.

From Sunday, freezing temperatures are expected to strike the northern region as temperatures are set to dip below 10 degrees Celsius in its mountainous areas. Frigid temperatures can be expected in high mountains where can be as cold as below 3 degrees Celsius with the chance of ice and salt-frost for these areas.

Meanwhile, wet weather is expected to return to much parts of Central Viet Nam, from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang.

The National Weather Service predicts moderate rainfall across these areas with heavy downpours and thunderstorms likely in some places.

Thunderstorms can produce strong winds, lightning, hail and tornadoes, the national forecasters warned.

From Saturday, 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 3-5m.

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.

Viet Nam’s National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging authorities in the northern region, to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to severe cold weather.

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.

Besides, residents in mountainous areas should cover and keep their livestock, plants and aquatic products warm to minimize losses in the cold weather, especially in deep-lying and remote areas, and high mountains.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L