A prolonged cold spell is forecast to continue in the northern region during the next few days, with temperatures dropping to between 6 and 8 degree Celsius, according to the National Hydro-meteorological Forecast Centre.

The cold weather has resulted in the hospitalisation of thousands of people suffering diseases related to the severe change in weather during the past few days.

The Ha Noi-based National Paediatrics Hospital provided health check-ups for between 1,000 to 1,400 patients each day and many of them were having respiratory and digestive problems, said manager of the Health Check-up Department Can Phu Nhuan.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Gerontology in Ha Noi reported that between 800 to 1,000 patients were admitted for health checks and treatment each day, with many showing symptoms of diseases related to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Severe weather also resulted in the death of livestock in many localities, particularly in the northern mountainous provinces where temperatures dropped to between 1 and 2 degrees Celsius. Provinces affected include Lao Cai, Lang Son, Yen Bai and Lai Chau.

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Lang Son Province’s Cong Son commune Trieu Sang Phuc said cold weather had killed 46 buffaloes and cows in the commune since Tuesday.

Agricultural authorities from mountainous provinces have guided local farmers to take measures to prevent their livestock and crops from being affected by the cold spell.

A cold spell earlier this year killed 60,000 farm animals in 19 provinces and cities, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Department of Livestock Production.

The Health Ministry has instructed health departments of localities to actively take measures to cope with unusual climate change including cold weather and monsoon winds to protect people’s health.

They were required to assign medical workers on duty round the clock, provide free emergency aid for people affected by extreme weather and help people ensure they are best prepared for further cold spells.

Relevant agencies of the health ministry were instructed to prepare human resources, transports and medicine to support localities affected by cold weather and monsoon winds.

Source: VNS