Hail with a diameter of 1-2cm fell in two communes, Hang Kia and Pà Cò, in Mai Châu district. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Hải

HÒA BÌNH Several mountainous provinces in the north were hit by hail on Wednesday. Although no one was injured, many hectares of crops were damaged.

In Hòa Bình Province, hail blanketed National Highway 6 passing through Mai Châu District, particularly affecting the two communes of Hàng Kia and Pà Cò.

The hailstones, measuring one to two centimetres in diameter, accumulated in thick layers along National Highway 6 and on the slopes of hills and fields.

Many areas where vegetables, plums, peaches and other crops are cultivated in Pà Cò commune bore the brunt of the hailstorm, with fruits being knocked down and spoiled. Additionally, several houses in Pà Cò and Hàng Kia communes sustained roof damage due to the hail.

This is the largest hailstorm ever recorded in Mai Châu District, causing significant damage to crops and many residential houses.

The Mai Châu District People's Committee is assessing the damage to crops and residential houses.

Elsewhere, in Sơn La, a fifteen-minute hailstorm with strong winds in Vân Hồ also damaged crops and property.

On Wednesday evening, according to the leadership of the People's Committee of Vân Hồ District, Sơn La Province, a hailstorm with strong winds damaged crops and properties of local residents.

At around 4pm, dark clouds enveloped the communes. Minutes later, thunderstorms arrived with hail, and rain continued for about 15 minutes. Hailstones noisily struck corrugated iron roofs.

The hailstones were thick and sizeable, with an average diameter ranging from 1.5-2cm.

According to the People's Committee of Vân Hồ District, immediately after the hailstorm, the district's Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command conducted damage assessments and provided support for affected households.

Preliminary statistics indicate that some agricultural areas belonging to local residents suffered damage.

Prior to this event, on April 12, Sơn La Province had been hit by another hailstorm accompanied by strong winds, damaging over 80ha of late-ripening plum trees that were ready for harvest in Phiêng Khoài Commune, Yên Châu District.

That hailstorm, coupled with strong winds lasting about 30 minutes, hit Phiêng Khoài commune, Yên Châu District (Sơn La Province), spoiling the fruits and breaking branches of many late-ripening plum trees that were ready for harvest.

The most severe damage occurred in the villages of Hang Mon 1, Hang Mon 2 and Bó Rôm, where approximately 80ha of agricultural land were affected. Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage to houses during this hailstorm. VNS