Sweltering heat in Vietnam’s north sparks power cuts

HANOI – Hanoi residents flocked to the Vietnamese capital’s air-conditioned shopping malls on Saturday to escape power cuts at home, as the electricity grid

struggled to cope with the high demand

caused by soaring heat.

Vietnam is one of many countries across South and South-east Asia

experiencing record-high temperatures in recent weeks.

As the temperature rose to 36 deg C, Mr Bui Manh Duc Tai and his napping girlfriend were among those at the Aeon shopping mall trying to escape the blistering heat.

“Our home has been without power since this morning. We came here for some cool air,” Mr Tai told AFP.

In another corner, student Nguyen Minh Thu sat on the floor trying to finish an assignment on her laptop.

“I had to come here for power so I could study,” the agriculture student said, adding that the electricity at her home had been on and off all morning.

Scientists have warned that global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events around the world, including heatwaves.

Drought and a prolonged heatwave have put a lot of pressure on power supplies in the country’s north, according to supplier Vietnam Electricity.

At another packed mall outside Hanoi, families with young children sought refuge in the air-conditioning.

“I have been here with my two young kids since lunchtime. The kids can play, while I can go shopping. We will go back home after dinner. Hoping the power is back then,” Ms Do Thuy Dung said.

Average power consumption in Hanoi in May increased by more than 22.5 per cent compared with April, Vietnam Electricity said.

State media also reported power cuts in recent days in Quang Ninh province – home to the world heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.

Several restaurants in Ha Long city were out of food on Friday night because power outages meant people could not cook at home.

Power cuts also hit hotels on popular islands.

The authorities have also turned off street lights in some major cities to save power. AFP