Pellets of ice rained down on parts of Iloilo province on Friday afternoon, April 21, amid the dry season.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA-Iloilo), the small ice pieces were brought by a hailstorm.

The rare weather phenomenon hit the villages of Sinuagan and Palanguia in the town of Pototan. It was also experienced in Barangay Sariri, Badiangan.

Engineer Rolly Cuenca of PAGASA-Iloilo said the hailstorm, which usually takes place during thunderstorms, was a normal occurrence.

Hailstorms happen when there is an unstable air mass in the atmosphere, he explained.

Cuenca, however, warned that the ice should not be eaten as it contains several species of bacteria and chemical compounds.IMT