Typhoon Kalmaegi hits Vietnam as death toll nears 200

Coastal areas in Vietnam are assessing the damage from Typhoon Kalmaegi's destructive winds and heavy rain, with one death reported by state media, following its deadly passage through the Philippines where it killed at least 188 people.

The storm made landfall in central Vietnam late yesterday, uprooting trees, damaging homes and triggering power outages before weakening as it moved inland.

The environment ministry said Typhoon Kalmaegi struck central Vietnam with sustained winds of up to 149km/h, with much faster gusts.