Hailstones pound Vietnamese northern provinces in the past days. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Hailstones and whirlwinds struck northern provinces in the past few days, leaving one missing and three injured as well as causing initial damage of around 26 billion VND (1.12 million USD) as of 19:00 on February 18.
According to the Office of the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, whirlwinds blew roofs off schools, hospitals and 571 houses in Thai Nguyen province. Power blackouts plunged many areas into darkness as strong winds seriously destroyed local electric grid.
In the mountainous province of Ha Giang, 538 houses, five schools, and six infrastructure works were affected. The hail also devastated some 17.1 hectares of crops, and killed more than 1,000 heads of poultry. Total damage was estimated at nearly 6 billion VND (258,000 USD).
One man was reported missing in Tua Chua district, Dien Bien province, where heavy rains and whirlwinds demolished hundreds of houses and many other infrastructure works.
Meanwhile, heavy rains accompanied with galeforce winds left three people injured in Ba Be district of Bac Kan province in addition to ripping roofs of hundreds of local houses.
Hailstones and whirlwinds also caused critical damage in Yen Bai and Tuyen Quang provinces.
Local authorities have worked to assist residents so that they can stabilise their lives and production soon.-VNA
VNA
