Hailstones measuring 7 cm in diameter hit SW China

The most severe hail for centuries hits Guiding county in southwest China's Guizhou province on March 12, 2013. It has caused a direct economic loss of 14.73 million yuan. The strong hail lasted for about 30 minutes. The hailstones measured between 3 and 4 centimeters in diameter, with the biggest ones being 7 centimeters. Five villages were affected, with houses, crops, living facilities, forests damaged in varying degrees. (Chinanews/Chen Guangfei)