Temperatures soar in north, centre

HA NOI – Temperatures up to 38C have been predicted for the north and centre of Viet Nam today and tomorrow.

The hot spell would last two days across wide areas of the north and the centre before rain took over the two regions, the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting said.

In Ha Noi, people would feel it hotter than 38C because buildings would absorb heat and prevent wind and heat diffusion, said forecasting head Nguyen Huu Hai.

The central area would have both high heat and low moisture, due to the effects of anabatic winds that blow up the slopes of mountains driven by heating of the slope.

Hanoians are worried about the rise in temperature because of the possibility of power cuts. Tran Tuyet Nhung, teacher of a private nursery centre in Tay Son Street, said she did not want to even think about being with 10 infants and toddlers without power.

"I have suffered from hearing them crying before, when there was no fan and air con. I am so nervous the disaster might happen again," said Nhung.

A Ha Noi Power Corporation spokesman said the organisation planned to provide continuous power to the people during the hot spell. It would cancel all power cuts when temperatures were 36C or higher.

However, he said, it could not avoid unexpected cuts when power consumption went higher and overloaded the system.

Meanwhile, forecasters are predicting more storms and less hot spells. – VNS