HÀ NỘI - Electricity consumption in the North reached a historic peak over the past four days, said Nguyễn Đức Ninh, deputy director of National Load Dispatch Centre.

Electricity consumption reached roughly 631 million kWh on June 02, surging by 11.8 per cent compared to the same period last week and 10.41 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The surging electricity consumption has been due to the historic heat wave enveloping northern and central provinces and cities, especially Hà Nội, over the weekend. The rising temperatures were caused by a hot depression from the west and foehn wind effect.

The highest temperature was recorded at Hà Đông District in Hà Nội and Chí Linh District, northern Hải Dương Province at 42 and 42.2 degrees Celsius respectively on Saturday.

According to experts, the temperature broke all records from the past 45 years.

Professor Phạm Ngọc Đăng, deputy head of the Viet Nam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, said that inner parts of cities are often hotter than outskirts because of a surplus of concrete and a dearth of trees.

Customer Service Centre of Electricity Việt Nam Corporation received more than 1,000 calls from Hà Nội from June 01 to 03 and more than 13,000 calls from northern localities, mainly to report power cut incidents.

The scorching weather is forecasted to continue today at the highest temperature of 39-40 degrees Celsius. The hottest time is from 10am to 6pm.

According to Hoàng Phúc Lâm, head of long-term and short-term drought forecast under National Centre for Hydro-Meteorology, this heat wave will not be the most severe. In June, there will be two to four more heat waves in the northern and central regions.

Vietnam Electricity recommended offices and individuals to save and use electricity effectively over the next days, as the heat is forecast to continue. Air-conditioners should be set at 26 degrees Celsius to save power, reducing the risk of power overload and surging electricity prices.

Vietnam Electricity in the north has halted all works on its grid that cause power cuts during historically boiling days and mobilised workers on duty to respond to any incidents.

The  number of children and old people admitted to Hà Nội-based National Pediatrics Hospital and National Geriatric Hospital has increased over recent days. The majority of patients suffered from high fever due to virus, diseases related to respiratory system and stroke.

The Preventive Medicine Department under the Health Ministry has recommended that people should eat boiled food, drink enough water and nutritious food, especially fruits, to ensure vitamin intake and increase body resistance.

Rain is forecasted to come down on Tuesday, which will cool down the temperature to 35 degrees Celsius. - VNS