Severe cold spell batters northern, central regions, bringing frost to mountainous areas

People dress warmly to drive on Monday morning in Hà Nội.—VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — A severe cold spell has been hitting the northern and north-central regions since Monday, bringing sub-zero temperatures to some places and causing frost in high mountainous areas, with the cold predicted to last until Saturday.

The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting warned on Monday morning that during the severe cold, the lowest temperature was forecast to be lower than zero in high mountainous areas, between two and five degrees Celsius in mountainous areas, about seven to 10 degrees Celsius in Hà Nội and other areas of the northern region.

In the meantime, the lowest temperature was forecast to be about 13-16 degrees from Quảng Bình Province to Thừa Thiên Huế Province.

Showers and thunderstorms were expected to occur in the provinces from Quảng Bình to Bình Định from Tuesday night, possibly lasting until Sunday.

“During the thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds,” said Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, head of the centre’s Weather Forecasting Office.

The Hà Nội Education and Training Department has ordered principals of local schools to monitor the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting’s weather bulletin at 6 am every day as a basis to make decisions on letting their students off school.

Preschool and primary school students will be allowed to stay at home when the outdoor temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius; secondary school students will be allowed to stay at home when the outdoor temperature is below seven degrees Celsius.

The move aims to ensure the health of the students during the severe cold.

The department also told the local schools to not organise outdoor activities on severe cold days. Students are not required to wear uniforms on the severe cold days.

The local schools were required to check and timely repair doors of classrooms, function rooms and dining rooms to keep students warm during the severe cold.

People drive in the rain and severe cold in Hà Nội on Monday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

On the severe cold days, the local schools are allowed to adjust class times so that students do not have to go to school too early. If a student arrives late due to the severe weather, the school should be flexible so that the student can attend class.

Teachers and parents should remind students to dress warmly and eat nutritiously to stay healthy.

Hưởng said that low temperatures would adversely affect health. Therefore, people need to know how to keep warm and prevent sickness for themselves and their families.

Thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning and strong winds would pose risks to people’s lives and property. Tornadoes often occur along with strong thunderstorms.

When warnings about thunderstorms were issued, people should stay in safe places, he said.

People were advised to follow the weather bulletin on the website of the centre at nchmf.gov.vn, and mass media to proactively respond.

Additionally, they needed to strictly follow local authorities’ instructions for responding to and preventing natural disasters. VNS