BANGKOK, 4 February 2013 Several areas in the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai experienced hail storms following heavy rains Sunday evening.
Hail storm was reported in the district of Wieng Haeng and Doi Saket in Chiang Mai province yesterday. According to Chiang Mai’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director Komsan Suwan-ampha, some of the hailstones in Wieng Haeng were about the size of chicken eggs. Houses, farms, and garlic farms in particular have been reported to be damaged by the hail. The areas had never seen a hail for over 40 years. In Doi Saket, roads were reportedly covered with white ice pellets.
Heavy rains also hit the districts of Muang, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Phan and Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai Province. Some of these areas also saw hail storms, of which the largest was in Mae Fah Luang. Chiang Rai Governor Pongsak Wangsamur said he had ordered disaster relief personnel to survey the damage and offer aide to people in need.
