Severe heatwaves struck several localities in southern Vietnam this week, and the nearly-debilitated citizens are suffering.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the mercury rose in the shade to at least 38 degrees Celsius, while the heat screamed up to 40 degrees in the sun, where asphalt and road add insult to injury.
On Monday, temperatures at the intersection of Dien Bien Phu-Xo Viet Nghe Tinh streets in Binh Thanh District were recorded at 40 degrees.
When the sunlight was at its harshest between noon and 4 p.m., the term used was "at least 40 degrees."
At high noon, near the Cat Lai overpass in Thu Duc City, several people chose to take shelter from the heat by parking underneath the overpass as they waited for traffic lights to turn. Jackets, face masks and umbrellas are now commonplace on the street as people try to defend themselves from the sun-storm.
Meteorologists said the current heat wave is the most severe southern Vietnam has seen so far this year. For this time of year, the phenomenon is not considered abnormal.
This round of heat waves is expected to subside starting Friday.
On Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street, a mother and child shield themselves head-to-toe beneath the oppressive heat.
Weather forecast services Weather Online and AccuWeather said that before the end of the month, UV levels in Ho Chi Minh City may reach 13, which is high enough to burn skin and trigger skin cancer.
Treeless Le Loi Street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.
Without any shade at all, the roads and sidewalks were piping hot. People seen crossing streets were observed walking as quickly as they could to get out of the heat as soon as possible.
A group of workers labor under the baking sun at a construction site on Luong Dinh Cua Street in Thu Duc City. Most of them were equipped with protective clothing and water bottles for hydration.
Le Hoang Trung's face flushes red from having to work in the heat.
"The heat and sun have frustrated me every day this month. Just 10 minutes of work makes me sweat bullets, it's exhausting," the 60-year-old man said.
A delivery man uses a portable fan to relieve himself from the heat on Dien Bien Phu Street.
Doctors say that high heat increases the risk of heat stroke, especially in children, the elderly, those with underlying conditions and those who work outside.
Huynh Tan Duy, 34, splashes his face with water to cool himself down as he sells flowers along the Hanoi Highway just outside central HCMC.
"I often bring water with me these days, both to drink and to wash my face. It's so hot that it's hard to sell these flowers," he said.
On Tuesday, several parents and children visited Children's Hospital 2 in District 1 to check for symptoms of overheating.
Le Thi Giang was at the hospital with her son, two-year-old Van Khanh, who was experiencing symptoms such as fever and fatigue during the heat wave.
Nguyen Thi Thu An uses a towel to cover her grandchild, eight-month-old Dang Khoi, during a visit to the hospital.
Hospital representatives said the number of child patients with heat-related symptoms has increased over the last few days. Most children suffer from respiratory and gastrointestinal issues, including infections.
