Northern and central localities in Vietnam are being hit by a heatwave which could last until September this year but may be less intense than in July and August, said a weather expert from the national weather center.

From now until September 10, the northwestern, central, and south-central regions are forecast to see average temperatures up by 0.5-1 degree Celsius, while temperatures in the remaining parts of the country may remain around 0.5 degrees Celsius higher than the average seen over the past few years, said Nguyen Van Huong, head of the Weather Forecasting Office, under the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The number of hot days in the northern and central regions could also be higher than the average figure in recent years, he noted.

The impact of scorching weather, coupled with decreasing humidity, could increase the risk of fires and explosions in residential areas, as well as forest fires, due to the rising demand for electricity, Huong warned.

Healthcare experts advised outdoor workers to arrange to work when it is cool, such as early in the morning or late in the afternoon, adding that they should avoid working in extreme heat.

For those who have to work outdoors during a heatwave, they should refrain from working in high-temperature environments as well as from intense physical activities.

They should take a break for 15-20 minutes in the shade every 45-60 minutes.

People should take various measures to cool off their workplace, such as using roofs, heat reflector panels, insulation materials or installing sprinklers, misting, air conditioning systems, and ventilation fans.

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