Typhoon hits Vietnam, Philippines, Laos

At least three people have been killed and dozens more injured after Typhoon Lekima lashed central Vietnam, officials have said.

Tens of thousands of homes were wrecked in the storm, which made landfall in Quang Binh province on Wednesday, packing winds of up to 130km/h (80mph).

An operation to evacuate about 400,000 people from at-risk areas had helped to save lives, officials said.

Lekima was downgraded to a tropical storm after reaching neighbouring Laos.

'Extreme danger'

In central Vietnam, the winds ripped up trees and tore down power lines, according to the country's Department of Floods and Storms Control.

Among the dead was a 13-year-old boy, killed while attempting to anchor his family's boat during the storm, the Associated Press reported.

Lekima destroyed or damaged more than 29,000 homes in Quang Binh province, where 33 people were injured by fallen trees or flying debris, officials told AP.

In neighbouring Ha Tinh province 25 people were injured and more than 42,000 homes destroyed or damaged.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai told Reuters: "Thanks to good preparatory work the damage from the storm is not large."

Before reaching Vietnam, the typhoon had lashed the Philippines, killing at least five people.

The storm had appeared to be heading towards China but changed its course, shaving the southern coastline of Hainan island before reaching Vietnam.

An area stretching more than 300km (190 miles) had been classified by the Vietnamese government as being in "extreme danger".

Officials said much of the area was evacuated.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia...fic/7028444.stm

It's not looking particularly good for Taiwan with Krosa at Super Typhoon aka a Cat 4 Hurricane that is heading right for it. Warnings have been already been issued by Taipei.

Does the typhoon season in SEA roughly coincide with the hurricane season in the North Atlantic and Western Pacific? (Aug - Oct)

Well the depression certainly arrived in Vientiane yesterday!!

It's only just stopped raining basically 24 hours after it started . .. . and not that fine rain that gets you soaking wet either! (Disclaimer for the Peter Key humour - for those who don't know the joke!) It was bloody great whopping rain that drownt half the town - soaked to the skin in seconds.

The sun is slowly coming out!

Taiwan has had a going over by typhoon Krosa . . . 2 dead, 36 injured and from reading the place basically came to a standstill, no flights, trains, power outages etc.