A strong cold spell has been moving south and gaining strength since Nov. 19 night, impacting the northern, north-central and central provinces , according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

On Nov. 20, north-easterly winds in inland areas will increase, with higher gusts in coastal areas. In the Gulf of Tonkin (Bac Bo) wind is expected to become stronger and seas will be rough. The northern provinces will continue to experience chilly air with an average daytime temperature of 13-15 degree Celsius.


Mountainous provinces are forecast to be most vulnerable to the chill.

Phan Duy Hanh, director of Lao Cai’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said the intense cold spell hit the province about two weeks earlier than usual.

In the northern mountainous provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Lai Chau, the frost and hoarfrost came at the level of 1,900 metres and above over the last two nights. Nov. 18’s recorded morning temperature in Sapa fell to 2.8 Celsius degrees, the lowest temperature since the beginning of winter. It was forecast to continue dropping over the next two days.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Nov. 18 instructed provinces nationwide to take measures to keep cattle warm.

According to the ministry, the husbandry sector and farmers suffered from 180 billion VND (10 million USD) losses worth last year when about 55,000 cattle died from exposure to the cold. Poor preparation and slow implementation of measures to prevent hunger and cold from adversely affecting the cattle were cited as the main reasons for the loss.

However, signs indicate the cold spell will weaken by November 24 or 25, according to the centre./.