At least nine people have died after heavy rain and strong winds from the former Typhoon Bualoi flooded roads, knocked off roofs in central Vietnam before it weakened to a storm, state media reported.

Typhoon Bualoi forces thousands to evacuate in Vietnam Photo shows A fishing boat lilts in dirty, rough water as rescuers hold ropes.

As Typhoon Bualoi approaches Vietnam, thousands of people are seeking safer ground.

It said rescue teams were searching for 17 missing fishermen.

Bualoi moved along the country's northern central coastline before making landfall early on Monday, causing waves as high as eight metres, according to the national weather agency.

The storm tore through communities, damaging houses, schools and power poles. It swept away temporary bridges and flooded roads an

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