Efforts to respond to and mitigate damage caused by heatwaves.

In late May, many areas in northern Vietnam experienced peak heatwaves. In Thai Nguyen, outdoor temperatures reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius at times. The heat not only affected people's daily lives but also put significant pressure on agricultural production, outdoor labor, and healthcare. Faced with these extreme weather conditions, people have devised various solutions to adapt.

Workers at the Manh Minh Seed Production and Trading Facility (Bac Kan ward) are covering the seedlings with black netting to protect them from the sun.

Under high temperatures, just a few hours of intense sunlight can cause seedlings to burn their leaves, dehydrate, slow their growth, or even die. Therefore, protecting plants from the heat is becoming a top priority for Manh Minh Seed Production and Trading Facility in Bac Kan Ward.

Ms. Ma Thi Xuan, owner of Manh Minh Seed Production and Trading Facility , said: "On very hot days, we have to increase the frequency of watering and add netting to reduce the heat for the plants. If we don't proactively protect them from the heat, the plants can easily wilt and their leaves burn."

The livestock and aquaculture industries also face many risks of damage due to the intense heat. According to guidance from the Department of Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries (Department of Agriculture and Environment), people need to proactively cover livestock shelters, provide drinking water, electrolytes and vitamins for animals; and strengthen cooling and environmental sanitation measures to limit the outbreak of diseases.

For aquaculture, experts recommend that farmers maintain pond water levels at 1.5 meters or higher, use aeration machines, and reduce feed amounts on days when temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius to prevent fish from suffering from heat shock and oxygen deficiency.

"Before this heatwave occurred, we had sent documents to several specialized agencies and localities requesting them to strengthen propaganda and guide people on technical measures to cope with the heat," said Ms. Dinh Thi Hong Chiem, Head of the Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment).

The number of patients hospitalized due to weather-related illnesses has increased at Bac Kan General Hospital.

Along with agricultural production, intense heat also poses numerous health risks for outdoor workers. At construction sites, workers have to adjust their schedules, starting work very early and taking extended breaks at noon. Many prepare extra water, bring cold towels, and wear protective clothing to prevent dehydration and heatstroke.

The prolonged hot and humid weather has also led to an increase in the number of patients hospitalized due to weather-related illnesses. The Intensive Care and Toxicology Department of Bac Kan General Hospital has recently been receiving a continuous stream of elderly patients suffering from hypertension, shortness of breath, stroke, and heatstroke.

According to doctors, hot weather is particularly dangerous for the elderly, young children, and those with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. People should limit going outside between 10 am and 4 pm, drink plenty of water, eat a nutritious diet, and closely monitor their health, especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. If symptoms such as fatigue, headache, or dizziness occur, they should seek medical attention promptly.

According to meteorological forecasts, the widespread heatwave in the North may last for the next few days. Proactive measures to prevent and mitigate the effects of the heatwave not only help protect people's health but also minimize damage to production and daily life.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202605/no-luc-ung-pho-giam-thieu-thiet-hai-do-nang-nong-13b3400/