Viet Nam, Storms and Winds in Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, and Hanoi

Update as of 5 May 2026 at 5.00
According to preliminary reports from local authorities, thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds, lightning, and hail occurred in the late afternoon and evening of May 2nd in the provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, and Hanoi, causing the following damage:

- Regarding casualties: 12 people were injured (5 in Thai Nguyen; 7 in Tuyen Quang).

- Regarding homes: 2,077 houses had their roofs blown off (Dien Bien 53; Thai Nguyen 1,382; Cao Bang 5; Lao Cai 116; Phu Tho 376; Tuyen Quang 159).

- Regarding agriculture: 2,300 hectares of rice and other crops were damaged (Dien Bien 771 ha; Thai Nguyen 764 ha; Lao Cai 116 ha; Hanoi 307 ha; Tuyen Quang 342 ha).

- Regarding education and culture: 16 schools had their roofs blown off (14 in Thai Nguyen; 2 in Tuyen Quang); 5 cultural centers were damaged or had their roofs blown off (4 in Thai Nguyen; 1 in Phu Tho).

- Other damage: 72 power poles broken or collapsed (Cao Bang 2; Thai Nguyen 63; Tuyen Quang 7); 50m of embankment eroded (Phu Tho).

Additionally, according to information from the emergency response teams in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, thunderstorms, lightning, and hailstorms occurred in the area on the evening of May 3rd, causing damage to houses, crops, etc. The provinces are currently assessing and compiling statistics on the damage.

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According to reports and information from provincial emergency response teams, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hailstorms occurred in the provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, and Hanoi on the evening of May 2nd. As of 6:30 AM on May 3rd, the thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hailstorms caused the following damage:



- Regarding casualties: 5 people were injured due to storms and strong winds in Thai Nguyen province.



- Regarding homes: 350 houses had their roofs blown off (Dien Bien: 40 houses, Thai Nguyen: 309 houses, Lao Cai: 1 house).



- Regarding agriculture: 919 hectares of rice and other crops were damaged (Dien Bien: 767 hectares, Thai Nguyen: 152 hectares).



- Regarding education: 11 schools had their roofs blown off in Thai Nguyen.



- Regarding electricity: 14 power poles were broken or collapsed in Thai Nguyen.



Local authorities are continuing to review and compile the information.