On Monday evening, the Department of Husbandry at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that more than 10,000 cows and buffalos have perished nationwide due to harsh weather conditions.

The northern mountainous province of Cao Bang topped the list with more than 2,260 dead cattle.

Officials in Lang Son reported nearly 2,000 dead, Lao Cai more than 1,400, Son La 1,300 while Ha Giang and Bac Kan both reported 1,000 cows and buffalos dead. The brutal cold has also afflicted cattle herds in central provinces of Quang Nam, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh.

The animals had been grazed by people from ethnic groups outdoors where the harsh conditions have deprived the herds of warmth and food.

Throughout the northern region, high mountainous areas have reported deep freezes. The temperature in Sa Pa was expected to drop from the current -0.5 degrees Celsius to the record low of below -2 degrees Celsius.

Lower mountainous areas have all reported temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.

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