Cold spell to cause temperatures to drop, frost in the north during Tết

Local people at a flower market wrap up as temperatures drop in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VnExpress News Photo Hoàng Hiếu

HÀ NỘI — A cold spell combined with a strong north-east monsoon is forecast to cause temperatures in the northern region to drop sharply, with frost in mountainous areas between Friday and next Thursday – the Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting on Tuesday warned that the temperature is predicted to fall to 10-14 degrees Celsius in the northern delta provinces and 7-10 degree Celsius in northern mountainous areas from Saturday.

The northern region is also forecast to see showers, thunderstorms, hail and strong winds between Friday and next Thursday, the centre said.

However, the weather will become warmer from next Friday in the region, with temperatures of 13-20 degrees Celsius in the delta provinces and 10-13 degrees Celsius in mountainous provinces, the centre said.

Temperatures in provinces from Thanh Hoá to Thừa Thiên-Huế are expected to be 13-23 degrees Celsius between Saturday and next Wednesday.

The provinces are also forecast to see showers during this time, the centre said.

The temperatures in localities from Đà Nẵng to Bình Thuận provinces are predicted to be 19-30 degrees Celsius between Sunday and next Thursday. Sunny weather is forecast in these localities.

The southern region will experience sunny days from Tuesday and next Sunday with temperatures of 21-33 degrees Celsius, the centre added.

The centre also warned that a tropical low-pressure system south of the Philippines will enter the southern part of the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) and is likely to gain strength on Wednesday or Thursday.

Preparedness

In response to the situation, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has ordered all relevant provinces and cities to closely monitor the weather’s developments to guide local people and prevent damage from severe cold weather, frost, heavy rain and thunderstorms during the Tết holiday.

The provinces and cities are told to make plans to respond to the situation, especially preparing equipment and materials as well as rescue forces that stand ready to help local people overcome the consequences quickly and effectively, the committee said.

They are ordered to implement measures to ensure safety for people, plants and animals in mountainous areas during the severe cold weather and install warning signs on roads that are likely to be icy and slippery to ensure safety for road users.

Localities are assigned to work with relevant agencies and local media outlets to provide local people with information so they can cope with the cold weather, such as reinforcing their roofs and protecting household items, vegetables, crops, and livestock in accordance with specific local conditions to minimise damage.

Coastal localities from Quảng Ninh to Kiên Giang have to inform offshore vessels about the weather developments so that they could have appropriate plans to cope with incidents, the committee said.

The localities are tasked to send reports to the committee via the Viber messaging system at number: 0828.008.558; email: pcttvietnam @mard.gov.vn; or phone: 024.37335694. — VnExpress News