NHA TRANG, Vietnam (2 Nov 2005) -- At least nine people have been killed in Vietnam as Typhoon Kai Tak hit central coastal areas of the country. Most of the deaths were reported in the provinces of Quang Ngai and Thua Thien-Hue. Chinese President Hu Jintao was forced to cancel a visit to the city of Danang because of the storm. Around 30 people have been killed by heavy rains in Vietnam in the last two weeks. More than 60 others died when Typhoon Damrey hit in September. The winds at the centre of Typhoon Kai Tak, named after Hong Kong's old airport, weakened as they moved north-west up the coast. Four people were reported to have died in Thua Thien-Hue province, and between four and six were said to have perished in Quang Ngai. A Filipino who was working in a gold mine in Quang Nam province was also reported missing. | | About 18,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, most from Quang Ngai, said Nguyen Van Huang, an official in the flood control department in Danang. Vietnam, which has a long coastline facing the South China Sea is frequently hit by typhoons and tropical storms. |
