Famers in north-eastern China survey the damage from, what is for them, a once-in-a-lifetime hail storm.<br/> <br />Golf-ball-sized pieces of ice rained down on this small village near the Russian border, damaging crops and buildings.<br/> <br />Residents said they had never seen anything like it.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin)UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT OFTAOYUAN VILLAGE SAYING:<br/> <br />"They smashed the ground, washed away my mushrooms and they destroyed all the eggplants and seedlings."<br/> <br />The storm, which lasted 20 minutes, hit the town on Thursday.<br/> <br />The local government is now reportedly preparing a relief programme for villagers.<br/> <br />Last month a devastating hailstorm in northwest China killed some 37 people.<br/> <br />Andrew Raven, Reuters
