Deadly typhoon hits Vietnam

HANOI, Vietnam, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Rain continued to inundate northern Vietnam after Typhoon Lekima passed through, causing devastating flooding.

The government-run Vietnam News Service put the death toll from Lekima at three with six missing. Other news agencies said far more people had been killed, with the Russian news agency Novosti reporting 20 deaths.

Lekima struck Vietnam on Wednesday. Late Thursday, parts of Thailand were enduring flooding as rain from the weakening storm deluged some areas, The Nation of Bangkok reported.

In Vietnam, Lekima destroyed thousands of acres of crops and damaged scores of fishing vessels. About 70 fishermen were rescued as the typhoon approached.

Forecasters warned that of a high risk of landslides and flash floods in mountainous areas. On Friday morning, Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh ordered military personnel to help in evacuations of people living in the most dangerous areas.