VietNamNet Bridge – A 20-minutes hail on the morning of March 27 broke the roofs of thousands of houses in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai and injured 16 people. Many people had to hide themselves under beds.
The hail took place from 0h50 to 1h10 am in the three districts of Muong Khuong, Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai. Muong Khuong was hardest hit with the Muong Khuong town and 11 communes were attacked by hail. The ice that had the size of a fist or a bowl broke the tile or iron cast roofs of thousands of houses.
“My whole family was sleeping when suddenly we heard the sounds like someone throwing stones on the roof. Few minutes later, the ice pieces that were as big as firsts broke the roof and furniture. We had to quickly get under the bed or cabinets to avoid the hail,” a local woman said.
Many elderly people in Muong Khuong said they have never seen such a big hail. Until 6:30 am, the ice pieces did not melt down completely. Trees and gardens were ragged. Some cars that parked outdoor had their glass windows broken.
Until 6am, the ice still covered the bed of a family in Muong Khuong.
Mr. Hoang Huy Dung, Chairman of Muong Khuong district, said the widespread hail damaged the roofs of thousands of houses and injured more than 30 people. 16 people were hospitalized with wounds on their heads.
According to Mr. Luu Minh Hai, Director of the Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting of Lao Cai Province, the cold air came while the temperature in the North in general and Lao Cai particular was very high. The conflict between the hot and cold air flows caused the abnormal weather phenomena – hail, accompanied by strong winds.
Almost every year hail appears in Lao Cai at this time. However, the hail yesterday was much stronger than those in previous years.
Quoc Dung-Duc Ho