A cold wave that hit Vietnam’s northern mountainous regions on Monday is forecast to increase in intensity and spread south, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF). On Tuesday morning, the center recorded temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in 21 of Vietnam’s provinces and municipalities, and the average temperatures in northern provinces dropped by over 10°C (18°F). Mount Mau Son in Lang Son Province was the earliest to be hit by the cold wave, with temperature dropping to -0.3°C, the lowest to be recorded this winter in the country. Trees and plants at heights of over 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above the sea level on the mountain were all covered in frost. “When I look at the 1,500-meter tall father mountain and the 1,400-meter tall mother mountain from the tourism zone, they’re both white with frost,” said Hoang Huy from the Mau Son tourism zone’s management board. In other northern mountainous provinces such as Ha Giang, Vinh Phuc, Lao Cai and Son La, the temperatures dropped to 3-5°C. Meanwhile the Red River Delta, including Hanoi, recorded temperatures of as low as 9-11°C. Temperatures also dropped significantly in north central provinces, with weather stations in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces recording values of only 11-15°C. The cold wave also reached central and south central provinces on Tuesday, bringing rain to the region. Da Nang recorded temperatures of 18-25°C while Binh Thuan, the southernmost central province, recorded values between 21-30°C. The average temperatures in… [Read full story]
Floods wreak havoc on northern, central VietnamThe Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Downpours and flashfloods left devastating damages in the northern and central regions over the weekend, with at least 60 people reported dead and 37 others missing by Saturday. According to local media, Hoa Binh Province reported the highest death toll of 18, plus 15 still missing. Last Thursday, a landslide buried seven houses, leaving 18 people dead and eight others missing. Thanh Hoa Province reported 12 deaths and three missing, while eight died in neighboring Nghe An Province. Meanwhile, five deaths were reported in Son La Province, while…... [read more]
Snow began flurrying in the beloved resort town around 12:30 am on Sunday, and fell intermittently and even thickened during the previous night.Vehicles, vegetation and roofs in the area were coated with blankets of snow.Temperatures kept plummeting and plunged to as low as minus two degrees Celsius at certain points.Delighted youths and tourists stayed awake all night to behold the whiteout and frolic in the snow.A snow wave also hit Sa Pa in late December 2013, when the temperature there fell to two degrees Celsius in O Quy Ho and zero degree in the Nui Xe mountain area. Icy mountain…... [read more]
Motorbike riders hide the strong sunlight in the shade of trees while waiting for the green light at an intersection in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - A heat wave, with a peak temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, has hit the northern and central regions, disrupting the daily life of the locals.People have to wear thick clothes that offer protection from the sun’s strong rays when walking or driving on the streets to avoid sunburn. Pedestrian tunnels and passages beneath flyovers are found to be ideal sources of shade for outdoor labourers. Office staff have to bring their lunch to work…... [read more]
The instruction came from Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat in an attempt to minimise damage caused by the cold weather.In the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan, the People's Committee of Cho Don District said local farmers had been told to put straw on the floor to keep their cattle warm.Vice chairman of the committee Ha Sy Huan said that local farmers had been asked not to graze their cattle when temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Celsius.Veterinary staff had also been assigned to check for diseases among cattle and poultry, he said.Tuyen Quang Province lost over…... [read more]
The National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Center announced that a cold spell, which is currently moving southwards, will affect northern provinces before hitting north central coast and central coast regions on December 21.Due to an intense cold front, northern provinces will continue to have clear skies and bright sunshine. Some north central coast and central coast provinces will have rainfalls. Northeasterly winds will strengthen to level 2-3 in the mainland, and to level 3-4 in coastal areas.The Gulf of Tonkin will experience northeasterly winds of level 6 with gusts up to level 7 and rough sea. Strong winds will maintain at…... [read more]
