Devastating tornadoes tear through northern Vietnam

One person died after being struck by lightning and dozens taken to local hospitals when tornadoes flattened nearly 700 homes during the powerful storms that also caused massive power outages along with widespread school and business closures.

Many residents of the massive area where tornadoes barrelled through structures and snapped trees as if they were toothpicks were grateful to be unharmed, but saddened by the loss of their homes to the funnel.

Heavy rains also triggered serious landslides in the village of Ta Ban in the district of Muong Te in Lai Chau Province, said Luu Minh Hai, director of the Lao Cai Hydro Meteorological Forecast Centre.

The village is absolutely devastated, he noted.

But the worst may not be over, cautions Mr Hai, as more rain is forecast for the next two days. Landslide warnings are in effect and people in the region have been urged to be on the alert for possible flash floods.