Thousands of houses damaged by hailstorm in Lao Cai

Hail stones, some as big as bowls, hit Muong Khuong, Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai districts.

Hoang Huy Dung, Chairman of the Muong Khuong District People’s Committee, said the hailstorm blew off the rooftops of thousands of houses, uprooted trees, and left 16 people injured and admitted to the hospital.

Luu Minh Hai, Director of the Lao Cai Hydro Meteorological Forecast Centre, said that a sudden cold spell has hit several northern provinces which had relatively high temperatures causing whirlwinds and hailstorms in Lao Cai.

Rescue forces have been mobilized to help local residents overcome the aftermath of the hailstorm.