Around 18h, dark clouds covered Phieng Cam commune, followed by thunderstorms and hail. Hailstones measuring one to three centimeters in diameter fell heavily for about 15 minutes, blanketing many hills white.

Vang Ly stated the hailstorm occurred unexpectedly, catching her and many others working in the fields off guard without time to find shelter. Thanks to wearing a helmet while working, she was not injured. Local authorities are currently assessing the damage.

Since the night of 15/4, thunderstorms, whirlwinds, and hail across northern provinces have caused one death, one missing person, and four injuries. Approximately 1,500 houses sustained damage or had their roofs blown off. The natural disaster also destroyed over 880 ha of crops, killed 500 poultry, and impacted numerous infrastructure projects. Total estimated damages are close to 46 billion VND, according to the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention. Notably, in the early morning of 16/4, large hail in Bac Ha, Lao Cai province, featured hailstones measuring five to seven centimeters in diameter, damaging homes and crops.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting announced that from the evening of 18/4 to 19/4, the mountainous and midland areas of the Northern region are expected to continue experiencing showers and thunderstorms, with localized rainfall exceeding 70 mm. During these thunderstorms, whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts are possible, posing risks to homes and crops, along with the potential for flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.

Authorities advise residents to monitor weather developments and limit outdoor activities during thunderstorms, particularly in hilly and cultivated areas. They should proactively reinforce homes, protect crops and livestock, and seek safe shelter during hailstorms.

Gia Chinh