Strong wind unroofed a house in Sơn La Province. VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG NAI/SƠN LA — Strong wind ripped off the roof of a primary school in southern city of Đồng Nai, causing significant property damage while heavy rains in northern mountainous Sơn La Province affected more than 120 houses, injured one person, and damaged many structures.

On Monday, the People’s Committee of Bình An Commune has confirmed that a strong wind tore off the corrugated iron roof of Bình An Primary School, causing damage worth hundreds of millions of đồng and leaving many pupils shaken.

According to initial reports, at around 2pm, heavy rain accompanied by strong gusts swept through the commune, ripping off the roof of a central classroom block. The roofing was blown into the schoolyard, bringing down a lightning rod and flagpole, while several trees were uprooted.

At the time of the incident, students were in class, and no casualties were reported.

School officials quickly carried out safety checks and informed parents to collect their children early. Commune leaders, along with police and local militia forces, were deployed to the scene to assist with clean-up, dismantling debris, and temporary repairs.

Local authorities have decided to suspend classes from Tuesday, May 5 to ensure safety.

Nguyễn Hồ Anh Tuấn, the school’s principal, said the incident caused panic among many pupils, but no injuries were recorded.

According to the provincial hydro-meteorological station, there was no widespread heavy rain at the time; rainfall measured at Long Thành station was only 12.4mm.

Weather agencies have warned that the transitional season brings a higher risk of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, urging residents to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, earlier, in Sơn La Province, heavy rain and whirlwind on May 2 and 3 caused widespread damage to people, homes, and infrastructure.

One person was injured after being struck by falling building materials, and 125 houses were affected, including some that collapsed or lost their roofs partially or entirely.

The whirlwind also damaged crops, public facilities, schools, and community houses, while landslides occurred in several areas. Power supply disruptions were reported but have since been fully restored.

In response, local authorities mobilised on-the-spot response forces to help residents repair homes and stabilise their lives.

Meteorological agencies continue to warn that weather conditions remain unpredictable during the seasonal transition, advising close monitoring of forecasts to minimise risks from storms, lightning, and strong winds. VNS