Central Vietnam swelters under heatwave as mercury nears 42°C

The hottest conditions were observed in the north-central province of Nghe An, where the Tay Hieu station measured 41.9 degrees Celsius, up 1.6 degrees from the previous day.

Other stations in Nghe An, including Quy Chau, Con Cuong, and Do Luong, also reported temperatures above 41 degrees Celsius, while Vinh and Quynh Hop stations exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.

Six monitoring stations in Son La, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, and Ha Tinh Provinces recorded highs above 40 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Hue, Da Nang, eastern Quang Ngai, and Dak Lak saw temperatures around 39 degrees Celsius.

In Hanoi, the Lang station reported 36 degrees Celsius, the highest so far this season.

The national weather agency attributed the widespread heatwave to a combination of a western low-pressure system and the foehn effect, which raised temperatures and reduced humidity.

The agency forecast that hot weather will continue nationwide on Wednesday and Thursday, with the most intense heat expected from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang and eastern Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, where highs could exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

Northwest provinces are expected to see slightly less severe heat, with highs between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius.

The southern Red River Delta, Central Highlands, and southern Vietnam will maintain highs of 35-36 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 36 degrees Celsius.

The heatwave is likely to persist beyond Thursday.

The agency warned that the combination of extreme heat and low humidity increases the risk of fires and explosions in residential areas due to higher electricity demand.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures may also cause dehydration.

The Department of Forestry and Forest Protection issued a red alert for forest fires, noting 800 locations nationwide at level 5 (extremely dangerous), 786 places at level 4 (dangerous), and 794 sites at level 3 (high risk).

The department urged residents not to light fires, smoke, or burn vegetation during the dry season, especially under strong winds.