On the afternoon of the 23rd (local time), a city in southern Brazil suffered significant damage due to hailstones. The disaster authorities of Rio Grande do Sul state in Brazil announced on the 24th (local time) that hailstones, akin to rocks, caused substantial damage in the southern region.
According to press releases from the Rio Grande do Sul state government and Erechim City Hall, heavy rain and hail fell in Erechim for about 20 minutes the previous afternoon. The hail was strong enough to break tree branches and damage power lines.
There were reports of property damage at 35 schools and hundreds of houses, with roofs and walls being damaged. Additionally, local authorities reported that 152 residents were treated at hospitals for injuries from hailstones or debris from damaged buildings hitting their heads and other body parts.
Social media videos shared by local media such as CNN Brazil and G1 show hailstones piercing car rear windows and white hailstones covering grass lawns. G1 reported that 25,900 people from 6,400 households were affected, and 12 medical facilities were also impacted.
Paulo Polis, the mayor of Erechim, stated in a video posted on his Facebook that most schools were closed due to structural damage and announced the emergency distribution of protective covers for homes with damaged roofs.
Eduardo Leite, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, announced through a press release that a 1.5 million reais (approximately 400 million won) emergency fund was approved.
G1 also reported that in the neighboring state of Paraná, over 100 people have reported home damages to authorities due to the sudden hailstorm.
Earlier this month, in southern Brazil, hailstones weighing around 100 grams also fell, impacting roads and buildings.
(Photo: Captured from the website of the Rio Grande do Sul Disaster Authority (Casa Militar Defesa Civil RS), Yonhap News)