Hailstones rain down on mountainous Lao Cai province

Pham Xuan Thinh, deputy head of the agriculture division of Muong Khuong, said the slight hail, a result of a cold snap moving from the north, occurred in early morning during 0am to 5am in almost all communes of the district, lasting from five to 15 minutes.

However, he said, the hail did not cause considerable human or property damage.

Residents in Nam Chay commune said the hail, along with strong winds, lasted for 15 minutes, blanketing the ground with hailstones 1 – 1.5cm in diameter.

This was the second hail recorded in Lao Cai province since the beginning of 2018. It ended the hot weather and pushed temperatures down to 17 – 20 degrees Celsius, according to Director of the Lao Cai hydro-meteorological station Luu Minh Hai.