THÁI NGUYÊN — Hail and whirlwinds in the northern mountainous region killed one person and injured three others over the weekend, the National Committee of Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue reported on Monday evening. Damage to private property, crops, livestock and public buildings was estimated to cost VNĐ26 billion (US$1.1 million) in total.   

In Thái Nguyên Province, whirlwinds uprooted 571 houses, including 502 houses in the city of Thái Nguyên, 66 in Phổ Yên Township and three in Định Hóa District.

Thunderstorms accompanied by hail also damaged two husbandry farms – killing a total of 500 chickens – and two vegetable farms in Thái Nguyên.

A 50m-long channel in Núi Cốc of Tiên Phong Commune, Phổ Yên Township collapsed after whirlwinds and heavy rains and a hospital roof came off. Many vehicles were damaged by the falling roof.

The grid system was seriously damaged. A transformer station burned, electric poles collapsed and power was out for hours in some areas. Dozens of trees fell in urban areas, including some big trees that were at least 50 years old.

In Lào Cai Province, serious damage was reported to 538 houses, 20 of which were completely destroyed. A total of 312 houses had their roofs fall off and others sustained damage to auxiliary structures such as toilets, kitchens or cages.

More than 17 ha of crops and 1,000 poultry were damaged or killed. Five schools and six public works were partly destroyed.

Điện Biên Province’s Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue reported that one person was missing following heavy rain, hail in Huổi Tre Village, Tủa Thắng Commune, Tủa Chùa District. A total of 255 houses were damaged and 16 collapsed, while 238 houses lost their roofs. Tornadoes also unroofed 14 schools in remote communes, collapsed a gymnasium and sunk a boat in Sông Đà Lake.

Yên Bái Province’s natural disaster committee also reported its initial losses: 276 houses were damaged across the province along with community houses, schools and factories.

Hail and tornadoes damaged more than 5 ha of crops and forest, as well as 58 fish cages in Yên Bình District.

Tuyên Quang Province reported no casualties, but did sustain serious damage to crops, 300 houses and three schools in Tuyên Quang City and the districts of Chiêm Hóa, Na Hang, Lâm Bình and Hàm Yên. Many electric poles and trees fell, cutting power for hours.

Hà Giang Province reported that weekend thunderstorms and heavy rains caused VNĐ6 billion ($258,000) in crop and property damage in Bắc Quang, Quang Bình, Vị Xuyên, Quản Bạ, Yên Minh, Mèo Vạc and Bắc Mê districts. —  VNS