From April 8th to April 16th, many sea areas experienced high waves, posing a danger to fishing vessels operating at sea. VNA/VNS File Photo

HÀ NỘI — High waves are expected across multiple sea areas from April 8–16, posing dangers to maritime traffic, fishing and other offshore operations, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned.

Waves in the northern Gulf of Tonkin and the northern part of the East Sea are forecast to reach two to three metres during the period. In the southern Gulf of Tonkin, the area from southern Quảng Trị to Quảng Ngãi, the East Sea and the Hoàng Sa (Paracel Islands) zone, wave heights are expected at 1.5–2.5 metres.

Warnings have been issued for the Gulf of Tonkin from April 7–16, the northern East Sea from April 8–13, the area from southern Quảng Trị to Quảng Ngãi from April 9 and April 13, the central East Sea from April 7–9 and April 13, and the Hoàng Sa zone on April 8 and April 13.

Following guidance from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, coastal provinces and cities are to closely monitor weather warnings and developments at sea, and notify captains and owners of vessels operating offshore so they can take precautionary measures and plan their operations accordingly to ensure the safety of lives and property.

On land, from April 8–9, the area from Thanh Hoá to Đà Nẵng City and eastern Quảng Ngãi Province will experience severe to extremely severe heat, with maximum temperatures generally ranging from 38–40°C and exceeding 40°C in some places. The lowest relative humidity is expected to be around 35–40 per cent.

The north-western region will see hot weather, with severe heat in some areas, with maximum temperatures of 35–37°C and above 38°C in places. The lowest relative humidity is forecast at around 40–45 per cent.

The southern Red River Delta, the eastern parts of provinces from Gia Lai to Đắk Lắk, the Central Highlands and the southern region will experience hot weather with maximum temperatures of 35–36°C, exceeding 36°C in some places. The lowest relative humidity is expected at around 45–50 per cent.

"The forecast temperatures in heatwave bulletins and actual perceived outdoor temperatures may differ by two to four degrees Celsius," said Vũ Anh Tuấn, Deputy Head of the Weather Forecasting Division.

The heatwave is expected to persist for several more days. The natural disaster risk level has been set at Level one.

Due to the combination of severe heat and low humidity, there is a risk of fires and explosions in residential areas as electricity demand surges. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also cause dehydration.

Health experts advise the public to avoid going outdoors during the hottest hours, from 10am to 4pm. Those who must go outside should wear protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and face masks. People should not work outdoors or in hot environments for extended periods and should avoid excessive physical exertion.

Those working in hot conditions should drink a minimum of 1.5 to two litres of water per day to prevent dehydration and electrolyte loss.

People should work in well-ventilated, cool environments to prevent heatstroke. A balanced diet rich in green vegetables and fruit is also recommended. Regular health check-ups are advised, particularly for the elderly, young children and those with chronic conditions such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. — VNA/VNS