Tourists come to see Mau Son Peak covered in frost and ice on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued an official dispatch instructing local administrations of northern and north central localities, and relevant ministries, to take urgent measures to deal with the prolonged, severe cold wave that is affecting people and agricultural production.

In the past few days, a strong cold air wave pushed the temperature down to under 10 degrees C in the northern region, with mountainous highland areas encountering frost and ice.

The National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting said this is the most intense cold spell so far this winter.

The people’s committees of provinces and cities in the north and north central regions were asked to take comprehensive measures to prevent and minimise the effects of cold weather on human health and agricultural production.

The dispatch underlined the requirement to enhance communication of relevant information and provide guidance to the public on ways to ensure health and safety, especially of the elderly, children and vulnerable people; and to protect animals and plants.

Local authorities must keep a close watch on and regularly update weather developments, and provide timely notifications to residents, it said.

A car is coated with frost and ice.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was requested to closely monitor and guide localities in implementing measures to care for animals and crops while preparing production plans for the Winter-Spring crop, especially adjusting crop structures to suit weather conditions.

The Ministry of Health was tasked with coordinating with information and media agencies to inform people about effective and safe disease prevention measures.

The dispatch also asked for the collaboration of the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Communications and Information, the Vietnam Television, the Voice of Vietnam radio broadcaster, the Vietnam News Agency, and other press agencies, in providing relevant information, focusing on effective solutions to cope with severe cold. — VNS