It is forecasted that on December 17-20, the North will experience a widespread cold spell. (Illustration photo: NN)

On December 13, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control - National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue issued Official Dispatch No. 18/CD-QG to the Command Committees for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of the provinces and cities in the Northern region; the Command Committees for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, National Defense, Public Security, Information and Communications, Transport, Education and Training; Vietnam News Agency , Vietnam Television , Voice of Vietnam and press agencies.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from December 17-20, the Northern region is likely to experience a widespread cold spell, with the lowest temperature in mountainous areas possibly dropping below 10 degrees Celsius, and in high mountainous areas possibly dropping below 3 degrees Celsius. It is necessary to be on guard against frost and frost.

To proactively respond and minimize damage, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control requests the Steering Committees for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of ministries, provinces and cities to closely monitor warning and forecast bulletins to promptly and regularly notify and guide local authorities and people to proactively prevent severe cold.

Absolutely do not use coal stoves for heating in closed rooms to avoid unfortunate incidents that cause loss of life as in some localities in recent years; have plans to ensure safety for students.

Ministries, provinces and cities in the Northern region should strengthen propaganda and instruct livestock households on hygiene, strengthening barns, covering and keeping warm, proactively stocking food to ensure prevention of hunger and cold; and provide guidance on disease prevention and control for livestock, poultry and aquatic products.

Cover, shield, water, fertilize, and keep moist for rice, vegetable, and other crop production. Proactively notify and guide visitors and tourists, and increase warnings on roads that are likely to be icy and slippery to ensure safety for people and vehicles participating in traffic.

Based on the actual situation, localities proactively organize specialized working groups to go to the grassroots to inspect, urge and guide people on appropriate and effective prevention and control measures.

At the same time, organize serious duty and regularly report to the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and the Office of the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue.