Residents across northern region and north central coast are urged to brace themselves for freezing conditions from Thursday, February 8 as temperatures plummet and wind chill values hit between 11 to 13 degrees Celsius, posing a real health risk to anyone outdoors.

Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has issued an extreme cold warning for parts of northern region and north central coast, prompting the health unit to remind residents of the health dangers these frigid conditions present.

From Thursday, February 8, freezing temperatures are expected to strike northern region as temperatures are set to dip 11 to 13 degrees Celsius in its delta and coastal areas, and 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in its mountainous areas. Frigid temperatures can be expected in high mountains where can be as cold as below 5 degrees Celsius.

Cold temperatures are expected to hit parts of north central coast as the minimum temperature is predicted to drop to 15 to 17 degrees Celsius.

The national weather service has attributed the cold weather to the influence of a cold snap. 

Under these conditions, from Wednesday night, February 7, 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 level 6, and the gusts reaching levels 7 to 8, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-3m.

Warning for high winds and big waves has been issued for all vessels operating in the above-mentioned areas. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.

Viet Nam’s National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging authorities in the northern region, north central coast and coastal parts from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa, including Da Nang, to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to severe cold weather and strong wind at sea during the Lunar New Year 2024.

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.

From Friday, February 9, scattered showers at most places with heavy falls and thunderstorms at isolated places are likely over the parts from Quang Tri to Binh Dinh, including Da Nang.

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

Forecasters have issued warnings of flash floods and landslides for mountainous areas in the affected areas, and localized flooding alerts are in place in low-lying areas. The advisory urges residents to ‘be aware’ of inclement weather. Residents in affected areas are advised to get ready for such weather conditions in an attempt to reduce the risk of possible damages.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – translating by H.L