Around 5 p.m., a thunderstorm accompanied by hail swept over Pu Nhi A and B villages in Pu Nhi commune, Dien Bien province. The hailstones, measuring 1-3 cm, fell densely, covering the hills and mountains in the area within just 10 minutes.

Hailstorm in Pu Nhi commune. Video: Pu Nhi Commune People's Committee

The Pu Nhi Commune People's Committee reported that while hailstorms have occurred previously, the intensity and extent of this one in the affected area were unusual. The hailstorm damaged the roofs of several homes. Authorities will assess crop damage tomorrow.

Around the same time, hail was also reported in Pho Bang, Tuyen Quang, though the hailstones were smaller and less dense.

Hail blankets the hills of Pu Nhi commune on the afternoon of 28/4. Photo: Pu Nhi Commune People's Committee

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting stated that a cold air mass continues to compress and push a low-pressure trough, with its axis around 22-24 degrees north latitude, southward.

The forecast for the night of 28/4 indicates the cold air mass will affect the Northeast region, then spread to the North Central region and parts of the Northwest and Central Central regions. Winds over land will shift to northeasterly at levels 2-3, with coastal winds at levels 3-4. Temperatures in the Northeast region will generally range from 20-23 degrees C, with some mountainous areas dropping below 20 degrees; the North Central region will see temperatures of 22-25 degrees, resulting in cooler weather.

In Hanoi, over the past three hours, satellite images, lightning detection, and weather radar have shown convective cloud development causing rain in Yen Xuan, Phu Cat, and Ba Vi. These clouds are moving and expanding into the inner city. The forecast for the next 30 minutes to three hours indicates continued rain in these areas, then spreading to other wards and communes of Hanoi. Thunderstorms may bring whirlwinds, lightning, and strong gusts; the disaster risk level for whirlwinds, lightning, and hail is noted.

Due to the cold air mass, from the night of 28/4 to the morning of 29/4, the Northern region will experience moderate rain, with some areas seeing heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms. On 29/4, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected from Thanh Hoa to Hue, with localized heavy rain.

Meteorological agencies warn that thunderstorms could be accompanied by whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts. There is a risk of flash floods on small rivers and streams, landslides in mountainous areas, and inundation in low-lying regions. Rough seas could impact maritime activities.

Gia Chinh