Cold weather in Hanoi, buffaloes freeze to death in Sapa

VietNamNet Bridge – Damaging cold temperatures has hit Sapa town, a famous tourist destination in northernVietnam earlier than usual, killing many cattle.

The weather in Sapa is usually colder than other regions in Vietnam but this year cold weather came early and unexpectedly.

The temperature in Sapa began falling on October 25, standing at over 16oC. It dropped to 13.8oC on October 27 and suddenly dropped to 10.2oC on October 28.

Local residents have had to drive their cattle to lower areas to avoid the cold spell.

As many buffaloes froze to death, buffalo meat is sold for very cheap along the road to Sapa.

Ly A Chau and his wife sell buffalo meat at 50,000 dong a kilo.

Chau said his family has a mother buffalo and an 8-month-old calf. The calf unexpectedly died of cold weather. He is selling its meat in order to earn some money to recover his investment in the mother buffalo.

According to the Lao Cai Hydro-meteorological Forecast Centre, this unexpected cold spell will last for several days. The cold will harm crops and cattle.

Forecasters also said that the temperature in northern Vietnam will drop. The temperature in Hanoi will be only 16-18oC in the next few days.

Local residents have had to drive their cattle to lower areas to avoid the cold spell.

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As many buffaloes froze to death, buffalo meat is sold for very cheap along the road to Sapa.

Sapa town is covered by fog.

The town is quiet because of cold weather.