A hail storm with stones of up to 10 centimetres ravaged villages in Lao Cai Province on March 26, causing damage to thousands of households.
Hail storm
Muong Khuong, Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai districts were got the brunt of the impact of the storm, which did not end until the morning of March 27. The town of Muong Khuong was the most heavily-hit.
Nguyen Duc Hoa, of the Central Hydrometeorology Forecasting Centre said that there are often hail storms in the region, but that this was the worst in recent memory.
Water services for residents were interrupted for three days, while residents of Muong Khuong were struggling with the aftermath and resume their daily lives.
Holes in roofs caused by hail
Devastated roof means little shelter from the elemen
Preliminary estimates put damages at VND70 billion (USD3.33 million)
Damaged house in Muong Khuong
Cement fibre roof houses collapsed
Terrified in the aftermath
Canvas roofs, provide temporary shelter
Helmets no protection
No human casualties, but significant property damage
Dealing with the aftermath
Many homes in Muong Khuong left roofless
Man's house roof damaged and his wife hospitalised after injury
Reconstruction
Muong Khuong town in debris with 13 out of 16 communes seriously affected and 30 injuries
Iron sheet disfigured
Tin roofs were susceptible
Broken car mirror
Water pipes for reconstruction
Trying to deal with the impacts
Ly Su Gio’s family repairs one of their two homes
Lao Cai authorities ask for help
