Xinhua - English

HANOI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Xangsane started hitting Vietnam's central region Sunday morning, the country's Central Hydrometeorology Forecast Center reported.

Xangsane (Laotian for

elephant) was a Category 3 storm on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale when it left the Philippines, but has gained energy and is now a Category 4, packing maximum sustained winds of 213 kilometers per hour (132 miles per hour).

A fisherman runs from big waves after securing his boat at a fish port in Bulan, in Sorsogon province, southern Luzon. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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The typhoon, the 6th one striking the country this year, has injured some local people, damaged a number of houses, schools and buildings, knocked down many trees, and caused widespread blackouts in the central coastal localities of Da Nang, Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai. However, the exact number of casualties have yet to be reported.

To avoid the typhoon with winds of 134-149 kilometers per hour, Vietnam has evacuated more than 180,000 people in the localities. Vietnam Airlines, the country's national flag carrier, has halted domestic flights passing through the central region until late Sunday, and changed routes of some international fights.

Before reaching Vietnam, Xangsane, which means "elephant" in Lao language, has claimed 48 lives in the Philippines, said the National Disaster Coordinating Council of the Philippines.

In May, typhoon Chanchu killed or left missing 267 Vietnamese people, according to local media recently. Enditem

Vietnam evacuates 180,000 people to avoid typhoon

HANOI, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam has evacuated more than 180,000 people in its central coastal provinces to avoid typhoon Xangsane expected to hit the country on Sunday, the Vietnam Television reported Saturday. >>>

Typhoon Xangsane sets eye on Vietnam

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- After trampling the Philippines, where it left 61 people dead and 69 missing, Typhoon Xangsane has set its eye on the central Vietnam city of Hue.