Abnormal levels of snow and frost in the recent prolonged cold spell have caused severe damage to livestock and crops in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang.
According to statistics from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, by December 31, 2013, eighteen cows, buffaloes and goats in Xin Man, Đong Van and Bac Me districts had died.
Meanwhile, hoar frost ruined tens of hectares of farm crops, mainly potato and grass for cattle, in the province.
Sung Thi My, a local, said her family planted nearly one hectare of grass as fodder for cows, but most of it was damaged during the last cold spell. She said she hopes to receive support from the State to help us overcome the difficulty.
The provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department directed local authorities to help people carry out cold preventive measures for their herds of cattle.
Meanwhile, Do Tan Son, Deputy Director of the Ha Giang Agriculture & Rural Development Department said the department has advised locals not to let cattle wander during the cold spell to reduce the number of cattle dying.
The National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre predicts that cold spells will occur on a large-scale in the coming time.-VNA
