http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2271147/Nine-people-killed-freak-hailstorm-rains-massive-boulders-Indian-villages.html#axzz2JgXUc7vG

Nine people killed as freak hailstorm rains massive boulders down on Indian villages ·         The hail storm covered the entire villages under the snow like blanket ·         Destroyed crops, houses and live stock in seven villages  ·         The hailstones started falling from the sky on Tuesday night  By JILL REILLY PUBLISHED: 05:56 EST, 31 January 2013 | UPDATED: 06:25 EST, 31 January 2013 February 1, 2013 – INDIA – Hailstones the size of boulders have rained down on villages in southern India. At least nine people were killed when the violent weather hit several villages in the state of Andhra Pradesh.  The hail storm, which lasted for almost 20 minutes, destroyed crops, houses and livestock, causing devastating financial implications for residents. It was once-in-life time experience for people living in seven villages in Chevella, Moinabad and Shankarpally.  The hail stones started falling from the sky on Tuesday night and covered the entire villages under the snow-like blanket. Some women were seen attempting to sweep up the massive boulders using flimsy brushes more suited to lighter debris.  Dr K. Sitarama, director, Meteorological Centre Hyderabad, said: ‘The hail storm was caused by an intense thunderstorm. ‘Such occurrences are highly localized and restricted to a small area.’  The storm in the south was extremely rare as the deadliest hailstorms, and perhaps the largest hailstones, in the world occur on the Deccan Plateau of northern India and in Bangladesh.