Typhoon Kaitak has now weakened considerably after making landfall in the northern region, but has already left 10 people dead and 18 others missing or injured until Saturday, according to the National Committee for Search and Rescue.
The typhoon collapsed 139 houses, damaged or blew off roofs of 5,000 others, and flooded and devastated 1,500 hectares of rice and vegetable crops. Though the storm fury has abated after making landfall in the northern region, there is still widespread heavy rainfall in most areas.
Dang Thanh Mai, deputy director of the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Center, said that although the storm had weakened, it still brought in heavy downpours of 200-300mm in places, which may trigger flashfloods.
Rescue forces are searching for fishing boat QB 92760 with six fishermen on aboard. The boat suffered engine failure and went adrift 65 sea miles northeast of Ngang Mountain Pass in Ha Tinh Province.
Heavy rain has triggered landslides to cause traffic jams in Son La Province. Phu Yen District alone saw seven landslides, where more than 5,000 cubic meters of soil and debris rolled down.
The provincial Department of Transport has mobilized essential facilities and equipment to clear the landslide debris, but wet soil is continuing to wash down, impeding clearing operations.
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