Typhoon Molave makes landfall in Vietnam

Typhoon Molave left two people dead and over 20 fishermen missing before making landfall in south-central Vietnam. Molave is considered to be the most powerful storm in 20 years.

Phu Yen: Typhoon Molave made landfall in south-central Vietnam on Wednesday morning, leaving at least two people dead and 26 fishermen missing as their boats sank in the rough sea in the most powerful storm in 20 years, state media said.

A man died after winds of up to 150 kilometres (93 miles) per hour knocked him off his roof while trying to reinforce it in south-central Quang Ngai province, the official Vietnam News Agency reported.

Read:|Philippines: Typhoon leaves 13 missing, displaces thousands

Before the typhoon hit the country, two fishing boats sank off the coast of Binh Dinh province, leaving 26 fishermen missing.

The navy deployed two rescue boats to search for the fishermen in rough waters off Binh Dinh province, according to state-run VTV network.

At least 40,000 people have been evacuated to emergency shelters further inland from coastal villages.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered provincial authorities to prepare to move up to 1.3 million people in regions lying in the typhoon's path.

Provincial authorities shut down offices, factories and schools and asked people to remain indoors to prevent casualties.

Vietnam is still recovering from severe flooding and landslides that killed 136 people and left dozens missing in three provinces.

Read:|Three killed, many missing as Molave strikes Philippines

At least five airports were closed as the typhoon approached, with more than 200 flights cancelled.

Train services were also suspended Wednesday and will resume when the weather improves, VTV reported.

The typhoon killed at least nine people and displaced 120,000 in the Philippines before hitting Vietnam.

AP