First heat wave bakes northern region

A hot low pressure is heading for the northern region of Vietnam from west, creating the first heat wave in the region this summer.

The hot spell on May 14 affected north-western and north-central regions first, with temperatures ranging from 37 degrees Celsius to 39 degrees Celsius.

In the capital city of Hanoi, temperatures rose quickly from 10.00am, reaching 36-37 degrees Celsius at 13.00-14.00pm.

Temperatures are expected to rise on May 15-16 before decrease slightly on weekends.

According to the Central Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre, Vietnam will be affected by between 7 and 8 hot spells this year, with each lasting from 3 to 10 days.

May and June are forecast to have 3 or 4 heat waves each.

This summer is predicted to be cooler than in 2011 and 2012’s.