Drought in Vietnam strains power supply and affects locals' livelihood

After a series of heatwaves, including a record high in May, and an unprecedented drought, rivers and reservoirs in northern Vietnam are running dry, pulling locals who survive off the water into serious economic difficulty.

Scientists say global warming is exacerbating adverse weather, and Vietnam is just one of many countries across South and Southeast Asia to have suffered a prolonged heatwave in recent weeks.

The drought has severely strained power supplies in northern Vietnam, causing rolling blackouts and sudden power cuts. The crisis is hitting the country's crucial manufacturing sector, with operations at a large number of factories badly impacted, according to business leaders.