Vietnam is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, which has led to unusually high temperatures that are putting a strain on the country’s power supplies. The heatwave, which has gripped much of Asia, has caused school closures and deaths in India, as well as health warnings across many countries in the region. The country’s state utility, EVN, has warned that the heatwave could place the national power system under pressure due to a spike in electricity consumption.
To mitigate the impact of the heatwave, the ministry of industry and trade has introduced energy-saving measures to conserve power for domestic use and for the country’s crucial manufacturing sector. In the capital, Hanoi, street lights are being turned on 30 minutes later and turned off 30 minutes earlier than usual. Additionally, half the street lights along major thoroughfares and in public parks have been completely turned off.
The authorities have also implemented measures to save energy in office buildings and shopping malls, such as halving the energy use of outdoor lighting systems. Residents are being urged to use air conditioning only when necessary and to turn off electronics that are not in use. The government is taking a multi-faceted approach to address the crisis, recognizing that the heatwave poses a significant threat to the country’s power supplies.
Scientists have warned of higher temperatures to come, citing the combination of a warming El Niño and human-induced climate change. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) chief, Petteri Taalas, has warned of “far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment” if global temperatures continue to rise.
Vietnam HeatwaveThe extreme temperatures recorded across Asia have prompted fears about a possible drought condition, as well as causing disruption to education. In extreme cases, schools have been forced to close, and outdoor activities have been halted. The region’s climatologist, Maximiliano Herrera, has described the heatwave as “arguably the worst tropical heatwave in world climatic history” due to its intensity, geographical spread, and duration.
Herrera warns that the worst may not be over yet, with some areas likely to experience even more severe temperatures in the coming months. The heatwave has already broken numerous records across south-east Asia, including Vietnam, where temperatures reached 44.1C. As the region continues to grapple with the impact of the heatwave, residents and authorities alike are bracing themselves for a prolonged period of hot weather.