Typhoons batter Taiwan and Vietnam

Dozens dead and missing as storms and heavy rains lash the region.

typhoon hagupit hits vietnam
Vietnamese authorities say many remain missing after floods hit the north [AFP]

On Monday Vietnam’s committee on floods and storm control said the estimated loss caused by Hagupit, which struck the Philippines and China earlier in the week, stood at at least $65m.

In Taiwan meanwhile Typhoon Jangmi lashed the north of the island with torrential rains and powerful winds on Monday.

The storm was blamed for the death of at least two people and forced the closure of schools, offices and stock markets.

Winds of up to 227 kmh caused power cuts to 86,000 households and disrupted air, rail and road transportation services.

On one highway powerful gusts toppled a bus, leaving 36 people injured.

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Taiwanese rescue efforts were hampered by blocked roads [Reuters]

Typhoon Jangmi is the fourth and most powerful typhoon to hit the island this year.

ETTV Cable News showed rampaging waters overflowing the banks of a main river in Nantou county in central Taiwan as villagers were rescued from their flooded houses.

Authorities evacuated more than 3,000 villagers from landslide-prone areas and closed 34 bridges on overflowing rivers, the island’s disaster relief centre said.

The centre said an 82-year-old man was killed when he fell into a flooded rice paddy and an 18-year-old girl was killed by a fallen electric wire in central Taiwan.

Typhoons frequently hit Taiwan between July and October, causing flash floods and deadly landslides.

Two weeks ago Typhoon Sinlaku killed 12 people and left 10 others missing and presumed dead.

Source: News Agencies