Vietnam Sees Worst Typhoon In 20 Years, Leaves 35 Dead, Dozens Missing

A typhoon that officials said was the most powerful to hit Vietnam in 20 years struck the country on Wednesday after setting off landslides, sinking boats and knocking out power for least 1.7 million people.

AFP

Many were killed, many others are still missing

At least, 35 people were killed and more than 50 were missing, state media said. The immediate focus for rescuers was on three villages in the country¡¯s central region where landslides killed at least 19 people (among the total death toll of 35, so far) and are suspected of burying more than 40 others in thick mud and debris.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung traveled to the site of one landslide where soldiers were working to clear debris with bulldozers and he ordered officers to urgently send more troops to help with the efforts.

Reuters

Also, among the dead were 12 fishermen whose boats sank on Wednesday as Typhoon Molave approached with winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Another 14 fisherman were still missing.

Officials said the death toll across the country may rise as several regions were unable to report the extent of damage and casualties.

The fourth big storm to hit Vietnam within a month, Typhoon Molave ripped off roofs, uprooted trees and left millions without electricity in the central region, according to local media. More than 89,000 homes were damaged, the IFRC said in a statement on Thursday.

Reuters

Double whammy for Vietnam

The typhoon slammed central Vietnam on Wednesday with destructive force while at least three provinces were still recovering from recent deadly flooding that killed more than 100 people and destroyed hundreds of houses early this month.

Reuters

The IFRC has launched an appeal for $4.2m to help those affected, saying that at least 150,000 people were at immediate risk of food shortages and hunger after flood waters destroyed thousands of hectares of crops and killed more than two million cattle and poultry.

The back-to-back storms have stretched relief teams to the limit, it added.

AP

Heavy rain of up to 700 millimetres (27.5 inches) will continue in parts of central Vietnam until Saturday, Vietnam¡¯s weather agency said.

Vietnam is prone to natural disasters in the rainy season between June and November, with central coastal provinces commonly impacted, but the storms have noticeably worsened in recent years.