HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Heavy rain and strong winds from the former Typhoon Bualoi flooded roads, knocked off roofs and caused at least nine deaths in central Vietnam before it weakened to a storm that moved Monday into Laos, state media reported.

The storm tore through communities, damaging houses, schools and power poles, sweeping away temporary bridges and flooding roads and low-water crossings across several provinces. Flooding in cities submerged vehicles, and many highland communities were cut off.

State media said rescue teams were searching for 17 missing fishermen.

Forecasters in Vietnam said that at 10 a.m. Monday, the storm’s center was over land near the border of Nghe An province and Laos, with winds of 74 kph (46 mph). They said it would push deep into central Laos.

Vietnam

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