On the morning of January 17th, Mr. Phung Long Ka, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thu Lum commune, Muong Te district, Lai Chau province, reported that a hailstorm lasting approximately 15 minutes had just occurred in the area.
According to the commune leader, at around 7 am this morning, thunderstorms suddenly rolled in, the sky darkened, followed by lightning, small gusts of wind, and hail.
"The hailstorm occurred locally in the central area of the commune for about 15 minutes, with hailstones about the size of a fingertip. A quick check revealed no damage to houses, only some crops were affected," Mr. Phung Long Ka reported.
Hail fell for about 15 minutes in Lai Chau. (Photo: D.X.)
According to information from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, last night and this morning, the provinces of Dien Bien , Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Ha Giang experienced showers and thunderstorms, with localized heavy rain.
During thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong gusts of wind. Localized heavy rainfall may cause flash floods on small rivers and streams, landslides on slopes, and flooding in low-lying areas.
In Sa Pa ( Lao Cai province ), due to heavy rain, a landslide occurred this morning at kilometer 3 of provincial road 152 (Cau May ward), causing traffic congestion.
Immediately after assessing the situation, the People's Committee of Cau May Ward mobilized forces in coordination with local residents and businesses to clear the debris and ensure safety for people and vehicles passing through the area.
Hailstorms in Lai Chau usually occur in March every year. This year, the hailstorms appeared earlier, indicating complex and unpredictable weather patterns. Local authorities, relevant agencies, and residents need to proactively prepare for and prevent natural disasters.
Vien Minh
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