On January 27, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính issued an urgent dispatch to proactively prevent and mitigate the impacts of prolonged cold waves and severe cold in northern provinces and some central regions. This timely action aims to minimize damage caused by harsh weather conditions, especially as the Lunar New Year approaches.
Current Weather Situation
According to reports from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, recent days have seen strong cold air affecting northern provinces, northern-central provinces, and parts of central Vietnam. Notably, highland areas in the north have experienced snowfall and freezing temperatures, negatively impacting people’s health, agricultural production, forestry, aquaculture, and preparations for the traditional Tet holiday.
Freezing temperatures in northern mountainous regions
Freezing temperatures cover the northern mountainous region, significantly affecting livelihoods and production.
In the coming days, cold air is expected to intensify, with temperatures in northern and northern-central regions dropping to severe cold levels. Some highland areas may fall below 3°C, with risks of frost and salt frost.
Guidance from the Prime Minister
In response to this situation, the Prime Minister has instructed chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People’s Committees to closely monitor weather developments and implement effective cold prevention measures. Specifically:
1. Protecting People’s Health
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of educating households about safe cold prevention methods, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and disadvantaged individuals. Localities must ensure adequate medical supplies and timely healthcare services to prevent illness due to cold without proper medical care during the Tet holiday.
2. Supporting Agricultural Production
For agriculture, the Prime Minister directed localities to implement comprehensive solutions to prevent hunger, cold, and diseases among crops and livestock. Farmers should be guided on how to store and preserve green and dry fodder and concentrate feed for livestock to maintain stable nutrition during the winter-spring season.
Local leaders will be held accountable before the Prime Minister if significant losses occur due to negligence or lack of effort in cold prevention.
3. Roles of Relevant Ministries
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: Monitor weather developments and assist localities in effectively implementing response measures.
- Ministry of Health: Collaborate with media outlets to disseminate knowledge on cold prevention and warn people against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when using charcoal or wood for indoor heating. Additionally, direct grassroots healthcare forces to ensure sufficient medication and timely medical services.
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment: Provide accurate weather forecasts to help people take proactive measures.
Conclusion
Proactively preventing cold waves and severe cold is not only an urgent task to protect people’s health and livelihood but also ensures essential food supplies for the Tet holiday and beyond. Local leaders must demonstrate responsibility and closely cooperate with relevant ministries to effectively implement solutions and minimize damage caused by harsh weather conditions.
Let’s work together to implement cold prevention measures to make this winter warmer!
Source: dantri.com.vn
