Loei, Thailand – A violent hailstorm in Phu Kradueng district severely damaged several homes and put residents’ lives at risk.
Hailstones like projectiles
On Saturday afternoon at around 3:30 p.m., a sudden storm swept over the village of Ban Saphan Yao. Within a short time, the sky turned into a dangerous front of hail.
The blocks of ice fell with such force that they punched through roofs. Residents described the noise as resembling continuous gunfire from a weapon.
Fight for survival inside the house
One of the worst affected residents was village headman Sophon Chinsopha, whose house was hit directly. Together with his bedridden wife, he endured minutes of intense fear.
“I had to carry my wife again and again to safe spots,”
said Sophon Chinsopha, village headman. The hail reportedly pounded the house without interruption for almost an hour.
Roofs left looking like a bomb site
In total, around four to five houses were heavily damaged. The zinc roofs were perforated by hundreds of holes, creating a scene reminiscent of a war zone.
The hailstones reached unusual sizes, in some cases as large as eggs or even fists. Power poles were also knocked down.
Damage to local agriculture
Not only residential buildings were hit hard; farmland in the surrounding area was also devastated. Harvests could be partially lost as a result of the storm.
Authorities described the event as a locally confined but extremely intense storm with strong winds and severe thunderstorms.
Relief efforts already underway
Local authorities and the administration of Huai Som subdistrict responded immediately. Initial measures to support the affected families were launched.
Repairs to the damaged houses were set to begin as quickly as possible to prevent further harm from rain.