An official in Vietnam has said a cold spell over the past three weeks in the country has killed more than 20,000 cows and buffalos as well as at least seven people.

Hoang Kim Giao, director of the Livestock Breeding Department, says calves made up 70% of the livestock that died across 18 northern provinces.

Media in Vietnam have also reported that seven people died, either from the cold or from carbon monoxide poisoning due to coal braziers that people lit to stay warm.

The cold spell is forecast to last at least two more weeks. Temperatures have plunged as low as -3.6 degrees Celsius. The norm for this period is typically around 15 degrees Celcius.

Share this story: