Localities minimize impact of cold spell

On Monday, Lai Chau province allowed students at more than 130 local schools to stay home. Previously, the provincial Department of Education and Training had asked the schools to keep their students warm as temperatures plummeted.

People in Tram Tau commune in Yen Bai province have stocked extra feed to get their animals through the cold days. Giang A Pao, Party Secretary of the commune, said they made plans to cope with a prolonged cold spell months ago.

'In recent years, people have had a better understanding of how to cope with extreme cold. They use straw to protect their animals and set aside grass, cassava, and corn to feed their animals during the cold days,' said Pao.

The Center for Agriculture Technique in Moc Chau district, Son La province, instructed locals to place netting over trees, particularly vulnerable plum trees, to protect them from extreme cold.

Lê Anh Dũng, Deputy Director of the Center, said, 'We are piloting several measures, including cloth covers to protect vegetables. We use netting in fruit orchards to keep frost and snow off the fruit.'

Nghe An province has recommended emergency measures to cope with extreme cold weather.  It urges people to follow the weather forecasts, pay attention to elderly people, children, and boarding school students, and keep animals, vegetables, and fisheries warm to minimize losses.