Hanoi (VNA) - A new strong cold spell will begin affecting the northern and central regions from January 7-12, with snow and frost forecat to appear in northern mountainous provinces, according to the National Centre forHydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The most affected provinces include Lao Cai, TuyenQuang, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan and Lang Son, with temperatures dropping evenbelow 0 degree Celsius in high mountainous areas.

The Gulf of Tonkin, the waters off the coast of the central and southern regions areforecast to have strong winds with sea waves of up to 3-5m, while the hightide is predicted to hit the central and southern localities in the next tendays.  

Inrecent days, strong winds, high waves and high tides have caused coastalerosion in Binh Thuan and Phu Yen provinces and some other localities, seriouslyaffecting people's life and production activities.

Experts predicted that cold spellswill continue to hit Vietnam from now to February, with each spell lasting from7-10 days.

The dropping temperature will cause frost and snow in high mountain areas,while strong winds at sea and high tides threaten to cause landslides incoastal localities.

The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, and the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response, and Searchand Rescue on January 5 asked steeringcommittees for natural disaster response, searchand rescue of northern and central localities, and coastal provinces, and relevantministries and sectors to proactively have response measures.

Focus will be given to implementing safety measures for the elderly, children,and students, and cold prevention solutions to animals and plants.

The steeringcommittees for natural disaster prevention and control and search and rescue ofcoastal provinces and cities from Quang Ninh to Kien Giang are required to informand guide ship owners and captains of boats to move ashore or shelter in safeareas, and make appropriate adjustments to their production plans to ensuresafety. 

Attention will be also paid to inspecting and implementing safety measures forresidential areas and coastal construction works.

The VietnamNews Agency, Vietnam Television, Radio Voice of Vietnam and central andlocal press agencies are asked to regularly update information related to the developmentsof cold spells, coastal erosion, and strong winds at sea to help people activelytake prevention solutions./.