The hailstorm and thunderstorm that occurred in the early morning of April 16 caused great damage to people and property in many localities of Lao Cai province. Immediately after the natural disaster, local Party committees and authorities urgently mobilized forces to support people to overcome the consequences and soon stabilize their lives.
The most severe damage is concentrated in Bac Ha commune, especially in the field of agricultural production. Initial statistics show that more than 115ha of crops were crushed, 370ha of fruit trees with young fruit fell, and many gardens suffered damage of over 80% of output, according to VNA.
In Ban Pho 2 village, Bac Ha commune, Mr. Giang Seo Sau, village head, said that out of a total of 163 households, more than half of the houses are affected. "Most of the Tam Hoa plum gardens have fallen fruit a lot. This is the main source of livelihood, so this year the whole village will suffer losses," Mr. Sau said.
Records at households show that the damage is very large. Ms. Le Thanh Hau's family has 300 plum trees and 50 pear trees preparing for harvest, all falling and completely damaged. Among them, more than 100 Ta Van plum trees have begun to ripen, expected to serve tourists on April 30 - May 1. The entire pear area has also just been cared for, expected to be harvested after 2 months. The total estimated damage is more than 400 million VND. "This hailstorm is more intense than in 2013, farmers cannot react in time," Ms. Hau shared.
Not only fruit trees, many areas of crops such as corn were also destroyed. Mr. Ly Seo Tenh, Ban Pho village, said that ice rain occurred from about 1 am, lasting with high intensity, causing his family to almost lose the entire crop.
In addition to production damage, hail and thunderstorms also affected 333 houses, injuring 4 people. The victims who were workers in Ngai So village area have now been treated at the Bac Ha Regional Medical Center, with stable health.
According to Mr. Bui Minh Hai, Chairman of Bac Ha Commune People's Committee, due to rain occurring at night, the level of damage is large. Immediately after the natural disaster occurred, the locality quickly deployed forces to support people, take injured people to the emergency room, and at the same time organize damage statistics.
Not only Bac Ha, hail also occurred in Muong Khuong commune. A quick report from the Lao Cai Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment shows that the whole province has 338 households affected in terms of housing; 485.5ha of crops were damaged, including 370ha of industrial crops and fruit trees in Bac Ha commune and 115.5ha of annual crops.
Faced with this situation, on April 16, 2026, Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee issued urgent document No. 2887/UBND-NLN, requesting urgent remediation of the consequences of thunderstorms and hailstorms occurring on the night of April 15 and early morning of April 16.
Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Anh requested localities, especially Muong Khuong and Bac Ha communes, to quickly inspect and accurately statistics damage; mobilize maximum local forces to support households, especially families whose houses have been damaged or had their roofs blown off. At the same time, organize visits to injured people, implement housing support policies and restore production according to regulations.
According to the Lao Cai Provincial Hydrometeorological Station, it is currently the peak icy rain season of the year, with the risk of extreme weather phenomena continuing to occur in the near future.
