HANOI: Severe storms bringing hail, lightning and strong winds have injured 12 people and damaged thousands of homes across northern and central Vietnam in recent days, authorities said on Tuesday (May 5).
The rough weather swept across a broad swathe of the country from late May 2 to the morning of May 4, hitting provinces and cities from the northern mountains to parts of the central region.
Homes bore the brunt of the damage, with more than 3,100 damaged or having their roofs torn off. Thai Nguyen and Nghe An were among the hardest-hit areas.
Agriculture was also heavily affected, with about 15,700ha of rice and other crops damaged, particularly in Nghe An and Ha Tinh.
The storms also disrupted local infrastructure. At least 25 schools and around a dozen community buildings lost roofing, while more than 100 power poles were snapped or toppled.
In Phu Tho and Nghe An, about 100m of river embankments were damaged or eroded, raising concerns as the country moves deeper into the rainy season.
There were also scattered industrial and maritime losses. In Nghe An, lightning struck a storage tank at Song Lam Sugar JSC, spilling about 2,000 tonnes of molasses, while a fishing vessel sank off Quang Trị.
Local authorities have deployed response teams to help residents repair homes and restore basic services while continuing to compile damage reports. — Vietnam News/ANN
