More than 7,000 cattle have died as a result of the record cold spell raging across the northern and central region of Vietnam over recent days, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

More than 7,000 cattle have died as a result of the record cold spell raging across the northern and central region of Vietnam  

The affected provinces include Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Son La, Yen Bai, Quang Ninh, Dien Bien, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang and Nghe An.

Son La Province topped the list of 14 affected localities, with 2,756 cattle found frozen to death, followed by Dien Bien and Bac Giang.

Temperatures in these areas reportedly plummeted below zero degrees Celsius over the weekend.

The Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention reported that by late January 27, 5,971 ha of rice and 4,673 ha of vegetables have been ruined by the freezing weather

Part of National Highway 4D connecting Thac Bac and the O Quy Ho Pass in Sa Pa Town remained restricted to traffic for safety reasons, the CSCDP said.

Authorities decided to ban all vehicles from the road on Sunday evening, due to the dangers posed by ice on the road following snowfall.