Hailstone in Negros Occidental shocks residents

SOME residents of La Carlota City in Negros Occidental were surprised when hailstones fell at the barangay proper Sunday afternoon, October 14.

Awed with the occurrence, the residents shared on social media their experience.

Roberto Aizpuru Jr., officer-in-charge of La Carlota City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they experienced extreme heat before a heavy downpour past 1 p.m.

Then hailstones fell for about three minutes, he added.

Hailstones are a lump of ice that falls during precipitation and instantly melts.

Aizpuru said a hailstone is caused by extreme heat, then heavy rains with thunderstorms, and strong winds.

He said the hailstone was just as small as a 25 centavo.

It did not damage or destroy a property or vehicle. It also did not cause injuries to people, he added.

Last year and a few months ago, the same phenomenon also happened in the city. (GYM)