Many areas have widespread heat waves
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, on May 15, the Northern region (except Dien Bien, Lai Chau), from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang City and the eastern provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak experienced hot weather, with intense heat in some places with the highest common temperature from 36-38 degrees C, in some places above 38 degrees C. The Southern region also recorded widespread hot weather, with common temperatures from 35-36 degrees C, in some places above 36 degrees C.
Forecast for May 16, the Northern region (except Dien Bien, Lai Chau), from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang City and the East of provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak will continue to experience hot weather, with intense hot weather in some places with the highest common temperature from 35-37 degrees C, in some places exceeding 37 degrees C. Prolonged hot weather clearly affects the health and work of outdoor workers.
Mr. Truong Van Nui (from Tuyen Quang) - currently working as a construction worker in Hanoi - said that he has been attached to the profession for more than 2 years. Every day, he works from 6 am to 11 am and then takes a lunch break, and works from 2 pm to 6 pm in the afternoon. On hot sunny days, the construction team has to take advantage of breaks or cover with tarpaulins and black mesh to reduce heat.
Working in hot weather is always more tiring than in cool weather. On peak sunny days, construction workers like him have to use air conditioning clothes to reduce heat and limit fatigue," Mr. Nui said.
Also making a living outdoors for many years, Ms. Le Thi Khuyen - a street vendor selling bicycles in Hanoi - said that hot weather makes work much more difficult. Every day, she wakes up at about 3 am to get goods and then cycles to sell bicycles until noon. After a short break, in the early afternoon, she continues to roam on many streets until she sells all the goods before returning home.
Going in the sun is very tiring, many times I want to rest but resting is without customers, without income" - Ms. Khuyen shared.
Doctors recommend preventing the risk of heat shock and dehydration
According to MSc.BS Nguyen Thi Thuy - Deputy Head of the Department of Intensive Care - Poison Control, Duc Giang General Hospital, prolonged hot weather can cause dehydration and electrolyte disorders. If people do not supplement water in time, they are at risk of heatstroke, exhaustion or heat shock.
Workers outdoors often lose a lot of water and electrolytes through sweat. Therefore, it is necessary to limit working during hot sunny hours from 10 am to 4 pm, and should arrange to work earlier in the morning or later in the evening" - Dr. Thuy advised.
According to doctors, before going out in the sun, people should drink enough water. For people working at high intensity, every 45 - 60 minutes, they should supplement from 150 - 250ml of water to avoid dehydration. It is necessary to wear bright clothes, ventilated materials and use sun protection measures to limit the impact of UV rays. The meteorological agency informed that from May 17, widespread heat waves will end in the Northern region, and heat waves in the Central region are likely to last until the end of May.
