Adapting to hot weather

In late May, intense heat caused temperatures in many northern localities, including Tuyen Quang, to remain consistently high, with daily highs reaching 37-38 degrees Celsius. Proactive measures to ensure production, care for workers' health, and provide safe and stable electricity supply have become urgent requirements.

Responding to the heatwave

Observations at numerous construction sites and factories show that workers are having to work in harsh weather conditions, under direct sunlight, and with high temperatures inside the factory at midday, significantly impacting productivity. Many companies have had to adjust working hours, increase break times, provide additional drinking water, and install additional cooling systems to ensure the health of their workers.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nghi, manager of a wood processing workshop in Ha Giang 2 ward with nearly 10 workers daily, shared that on days with peak sunshine, the outdoor temperature and the heat emitted from production activities combine, causing the temperature inside the workshop to sometimes reach 40 degrees Celsius, making it easy for workers to become exhausted if working continuously.

Tuyen Quang Power Company is stepping up efforts to educate people and businesses on electricity conservation.

We had to adjust production times to start earlier in the morning and allow workers to take an earlier lunch break, work later in the afternoon, and work overtime in the evening to avoid the heat, while also adding industrial fans to reduce the temperature. The priority was ensuring the health and best working conditions for our workers.

For agricultural production areas, prolonged heatwaves pose a risk of irrigation water shortages, leaf burn, and adverse effects on the growth of crops and livestock. In many localities, especially in areas specializing in vegetable and fruit cultivation, people have proactively implemented measures such as water storage, canal dredging, and operating pumps to combat drought and maintain production.

The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Tu, in Thac Nong village, Son Thuy commune, is currently harvesting chili peppers. The hot weather requires a significantly increased amount of irrigation water compared to before. Ms. Tu said: "If we don't ensure daily irrigation, our chili pepper crop will likely not survive this year's hot season. Therefore, even though it costs extra for electricity and water pumps, we have to find solutions to maintain irrigation to ensure the plants' vitality."

Besides putting pressure on production, intense heat also increases risks to public health. At the Provincial General Hospital, the prolonged hot weather in recent days has caused a sudden surge in the number of patients admitted. Emergency cases mainly involve illnesses caused by extreme weather conditions such as heatstroke, stroke, and cerebrovascular accidents, leaving many departments constantly overloaded.

While caring for a relative in the emergency room, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, the sister of patient Nguyen The Su from An Tuong ward, who is currently receiving emergency treatment at the Provincial General Hospital, anxiously shared: “These past few days have been extremely hot and humid. This morning, my brother was at home when he suddenly fell ill. Due to the extreme heat, he suffered a stroke leading to cerebral hemorrhage and blood clots in the brain, so the family had to take him to the emergency room.”

Given the continuing unpredictable weather, doctors advise people, especially the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to limit outdoor activities during peak hours to protect their health; wear breathable clothing and avoid sudden temperature changes when moving from sunny outdoors to air-conditioned rooms. Actively drink enough water (1.5 to 2 liters per day), and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Supplement with fruit juices and electrolyte drinks; those with a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, etc., must strictly adhere to taking their medication on time as prescribed by their doctor and not skip doses without consulting their doctor.

Ensuring a stable electricity supply.

One of the issues of particular concern to people during the hot season is ensuring a stable electricity supply. As the demand for air conditioners, fans, and other cooling devices increases sharply, so does the electricity load for households. For several days now, the electricity sector has recorded a significant increase in electricity consumption compared to the same period last year.

Mr. Le Nhu Lam, from Minh Xuan ward, said that with the current hot and humid weather, electric fans cannot meet the cooling needs, so his family has to keep the air conditioner running to ensure quality sleep, especially at night when the air conditioners in the bedrooms have to be left on all night.

To ensure the safe and stable operation of the power system, the electricity sector has implemented many solutions simultaneously, such as strengthening grid inspections, promptly addressing points at risk of overload, and proactively maintaining 24/7 response plans to quickly handle any incidents. Electricity companies have also intensified efforts to promote the efficient and economical use of electricity among the public and businesses.

Along with measures to cope with the heatwave, using electricity rationally and economically will help reduce living costs and contribute to easing pressure on the national power grid during peak hot weather. Simple actions such as turning off unnecessary devices, using air conditioners at a suitable temperature of 26-27 degrees Celsius combined with electric fans, and limiting the simultaneous use of multiple high-power devices during peak hours... can significantly save energy.

Given the increasingly extreme weather patterns, proactively responding to heatwaves is no longer a temporary solution but needs to become a regular practice for every citizen, business, and government agency. From protecting health and maintaining production to using energy efficiently and effectively, all efforts are aimed at ensuring stable livelihoods and sustainable economic development in the face of escalating climate change.

Text and photos: Luong Ha

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/kinh-te/202605/thich-ung-voi-thoi-tiet-nang-nong-07c6fe4/