A heat wave that has struck HCMC and elsewhere in the nation’s south is forecast to last until the end of May with temperatures reaching 37-39 degrees Celsius, said the deputy director of the southern weather center.    

Nguyen Minh Giam told the Daily on April 18 that the dry season in the south is usually at its peak from March to May. That is why sizzling hot weather has affected HCMC in recent days.

Giam said apart from hot weather, high temperatures in HCMC are attributable to the impact of fast urbanization. Heat from high-rise buildings and emissions from vehicles have made matters worse. 

Giam said daytime temperatures were recorded at 35-38 degrees Celsius in many parts of the southwestern region and would drop from end-May when it rains.

Meanwhile, the national steering committee for flood and storm control and search-rescue forecast hail and strong winds would hit the northern part of the Central Highlands and provinces from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai from on April 18.

On Sunday, a strong whirlwind accompanied by hail in Phong Hien Commune, Phong Dien District, Thua Thien-Hue Province unroofed 320 houses in Cao Ban, Son Tung, Gia Vien and Truong Cau villages, uprooted many trees, and caused power outage.

SGT