HCMC – HCMC has endured an unprecedented 79 days of scorching heat above 35 degrees Celsius so far this year, the highest number of hot days in nearly three decades, according to a weather expert.
The city also experienced 34 consecutive days of extreme heat from March 29 to May 2, setting another record in history, the news site Thanhnien.vn quoted Le Dinh Quyet, head of the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, as saying.
Despite this, HCMC has not surpassed its historical temperature peak of 39.3 degrees Celsius recorded on May 7, 1998.
Quyet pointed out that temperatures measured at weather stations can differ from those felt outdoors due to various factors, such as vehicle emissions, urban density, and vegetation coverage. Residents may perceive temperatures to be three to five degrees Celsius higher than recorded, although areas with ample greenery may feel cooler by two to three degrees Celsius.
The prolonged heatwave is linked to the El Nino phenomenon, characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. While scattered showers on May 2 provided temporary relief, the expert warned that they are insufficient to alleviate the heat, with temperatures expected to persist above 35 degrees Celsius.
Since the Lunar New Year in mid-February, residents have been grappling with intense heat, particularly worsening in March and April, with daily highs reaching 38 to 39 degrees Celsius. Concerns about health risks have intensified, prompting calls for measures to mitigate the impact on the population.
