HCMC – Localized hailstorms occurred on March 22, affecting some northern mountainous and midland localities, according to the latest report by the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment,
Reports from Son La and Phu Tho indicated that hail fell in Phieng Khoai Commune in Son La Province for 10-15 minutes, with hailstones averaging 1-3 cm in diameter. The storm caused heavy loss to plum orchards during their fruiting stage. Meanwhile, hail in Ngoc Chien Commune in Son La Province and some areas in Phu Tho Province obstructed local transport.
The storms and intense winds injured two people and caused one house to collapse in Lao Cai Province. A total of 824 houses sustained roof damage in Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces.
In the aftermath, local authorities mobilized forces to assist residents with recovery efforts apart from stabilizing their lives. The local authorities also warned that on March 23, the Northwest mountainous region may experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with risks of whirlwinds, lightning, and strong gusts.
Meteorological authorities attributed the phenomenon to the seasonal transition, where chilly air interacted with rapidly rising temperatures, creating atmospheric instability in the region.
