The provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, and Ha Noi experienced severe hailstorms accompanied by thunderstorms on the evening of 2/5, lasting from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Rainfall recorded from 7:00 p.m. on 2/5 to 3:00 a.m. on 3/5 reached high levels in some areas, exceeding 80 mm. Noteworthy measurements included Bac Giang (Bac Ninh) with 96 mm, Xuan Dinh (Ha Noi) with 90 mm, and Phu Cuong (Thai Nguyen) with 78 mm.

Hail in Dien Bien on the afternoon of 2/5. Photo: Chu Huyen

Many locations reported large hailstones, measuring 4-5 cm, such as Thanh An commune in Dien Bien and the Ung Hoa and My Duc districts of Ha Noi, causing damage to homes and crops.

According to statistics from the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention, as of 6:30 a.m. on 3/5, the natural disaster had injured five people in Thai Nguyen. Approximately 350 houses had their roofs blown off. Thai Nguyen suffered the most significant damage with 309 homes affected, followed by Dien Bien with 40 homes, and Lao Cai with one home.

Agricultural production also saw considerable impact, with 919 ha of rice and other crops damaged, primarily in Dien Bien (767 ha) and Thai Nguyen (152 ha). Additionally, six schools in Thai Nguyen had their roofs blown off, and 12 utility poles collapsed, leading to localized power outages.

Local authorities are continuing to review and update damage figures.

Northern region braces for continued thunderstorms due to cold air mass

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting announced that a cold air mass is pushing a trough of low pressure southward today. This will bring rain, moderate rain, and scattered thunderstorms to the Northern region, with some areas experiencing heavy to very heavy rain. Temperatures are expected to range from 23-26 degrees C.

Specifically, starting this afternoon, the cold air mass will impact the mountainous areas and the Northeast region. It will then expand across the entire Northeast region, North Central region, and parts of the Northwest region and Central Central region. Winds will shift to the northeast at level 2-3, with coastal areas experiencing level 3-4 winds.

Thunderstorms blow off a house roof in Tuyen Quang. Photo: Tran Van Toan

From this evening and tonight, the Northeast and North Central regions will turn cool. The lowest temperatures will generally be 20-23 degrees C, with some mountainous areas dropping below 20 degrees. The North Central region will see temperatures between 21-24 degrees. In Ha Noi, evening and night will bring rain, moderate rain, and scattered thunderstorms, with localized heavy rain. The weather will turn cool, with minimum temperatures around 21-23 degrees.

At sea, from this evening and tonight, the Gulf of Tonkin will experience strong northeast winds at level 5, occasionally level 6, gusting to level 7, with waves 1.5-2.5 m high, making for rough seas. From early morning on 4/5, the northeastern part of the Northern East Sea will have strong northeast winds at level 6, gusting to level 7-8, with waves 2-3 m high.

The meteorological agency warns that during the day and night of 3/5, the Northern region and Thanh Hoa will receive 20-40 mm of rain, with localized areas exceeding 90 mm. The area from Nghe An to Hue will experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with rainfall between 10-30 mm, and some places exceeding 50 mm. During thunderstorms, there is a high risk of whirlwinds, lightning, hailstorms, and strong gusts, which can damage homes, crops, and infrastructure. There is also a potential risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying regions.

Gia Chinh