Typhoon Molave lashes Vietnam coast, 26 fishermen missing

Typhoon Molave, packing winds of up to 135 kilometres per hour, slammed into Vietnam's central coastline on Wednesday, October 28, killing two and leaving dozens missing.

Trees were uprooted and roofing and fences were dislodged by the strong wind. Twenty-six fishermen were missing after their boats sank in their bid to return to shore on Tuesday, October 27, the government said, and two navy ships were mobilized to find them.

According to Press TV, some 250,000 military personnel were deployed or placed on standby ahead of the typhoon. Helicopters and amphibious vehicles were also prepared for the aftermath.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from the path of the storm and those who stayed home were told to remain indoors until further notice. Schools and beaches have been closed and many flights cancelled ahead of the severe typhoon.

More heavy rain is expected across the region, which has since early October suffered severe flooding and landslides that have claimed 130 lives. Floodwater has inundated 178,000 homes, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Vietnam has borne the brunt of nine storms so far this year. The intense rain since early October resulted in the worst flooding in decades, as well as several deadly mudslides.

ME