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HANOI: Two people were reported killed and 26 others missing when Typhoon Molave struck central Vietnam on Wednesday (Oct 28), knocking down trees and tearing off roofs from houses in one of the worst destruction seen in years.
Authorities relocated some 375,000 people to safety, canceled hundreds of flights and closed schools and beaches before the typhoon, which made landfall south of Danang with winds of up to 145 km / h.
State media said at least two people died in Quang Ngai province while trying to protect their homes from the storm.
A man died after winds of up to 150 km / h knocked him off the roof while trying to reinforce it, the official Vietnam news agency reported.
People move fishing boats to save a place before Typhoon Molave in Danang, Vietnam, on October 26, 2020 (Photo: Tran Le Lam / VNA via AP)
“The people of Vietnam are tough, but this is one of the worst destruction ever seen in many areas,” said Vietnam Red Cross Society President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu.
“Incessant storms and floods are taking a devastating toll, further destroying livelihoods and isolating millions of people.”
Authorities were also searching for 26 missing fishermen, and the storm, Vietnam’s fourth this month, brought waves of up to 20 feet in height as power was cut across the region.
Navy and surveillance ships were deployed to search for the crew members after their two ships disappeared after they attempted to dock, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said.
LEE: Vietnam evacuating low-lying areas as a strong typhoon approaches
VTV showed displaced villagers huddled in classrooms that were converted into an evacuation center, where they spent the night.
Provincial authorities closed offices, factories and schools and asked people to stay indoors to avoid casualties.
Broken tree branches caused by the strong winds of Typhoon Molave lie on a deserted street in Da Nang, Vietnam, on October 28, 2020 (Photo: Vo Van Dung / VNA via AP)
READ: Vietnam ready to evacuate 1.3 million people as Typhoon Molave approaches
Vietnam is still recovering from severe floods and landslides that left 136 dead and dozens missing in three provinces.
At least five airports were closed as the typhoon approached, with more than 200 flights canceled. Train services were also suspended on Wednesday and will resume when the weather improves, the VTV network reported.
About 1.2 million people are in “grave danger” and need help, warned the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
“These relentless storms are yet another example of the devastating impact of climate change,” said Red Cross spokesman Christopher Rassi.
The typhoon killed at least nine people and displaced 120,000 in the Philippines before blowing into Vietnam. Most of those who took refuge in evacuation camps have returned home when the weather cleared, leaving behind the villagers whose homes were destroyed.
