HANOI, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Durian started hitting Vietnam's central region Monday night, the country's Central Hydrometeorology Forecast Center reported.

    Binh Thuan province has been the first locality hit by the typhoon. The typhoon, the 9th one striking the country this year, has made nine fishing boats sink, damaged a number of houses, uprooted many trees, and caused blackouts in some areas in the province.

    Some central provinces, including Khanh Hoa, Ninh, Thuan, Binh Thuan, Phu Yen and Binh Dinh are in the typhoon's path. Besides, several southern localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, and provinces of Long An, Ca Mau and Bac Lieu are affected by the typhoon.

    To avoid the typhoon with wind speed of 103-133 km per hour, Vietnam has evacuated tens of thousands of people in the localities. In Binh Dinh alone, more than 6,400 people have evacuated to safe areas. Some schools in the directly-hit areas have been closed.

    The Vietnamese government has required relevant localities and agencies to update information about the typhoon, mobilize rescue forces, and call for ships and boats in affected areas to shore. It has also asked neighboring countries to help Vietnamese fishermen take shelter.

    Before reaching Vietnam, Durian has killed 425 people, left 599 others missing, and injured at least 324 persons in the Philippines, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council of the Philippines on Monday.

    In early October, typhoon Xangsane killed or left missing 76 people, and injured 532 others in Vietnam.

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