(photo: TTO)

A series of whirlwinds hit several northwestern provinces over the past days, causing severe property damage.

The flood and storm prevention office of Lao Cai province reported that two local residents were injured during whirlwinds that hit eight out of the province’s nine districts and cities on May 1.

Bac Ha district is reported to have been hit hardest - up to 90 percent of houses in the district’s Nam Det commune were seriously damaged.

Bao Yen district was the second hardest hit, with about 80 percent of houses damaged. The bad weather also caused power cuts in many areas.

Heavy showers and a thunderstorm occurred over Lao Cai early on May 1 due to a cold spell, said Luu Minh Hai, Director of the provincial Hydrometeorology Centre.

Meanwhile in Lai Chau, big rains and strong winds late April 30 damaged houses and crops of local people in Tam Duong district. Son Binh commune alone reported damages worth billions of VND, with nearly 100 houses collapsing or having roof blown off and dozens of hectares of rice and food crops destroyed.

The local authorities have dispatched officials to the area to help in efforts to overcome the consequences.

Source: VNA