Kalmaegi, the third typhoon to hit Vietnam this year, has claimed atleast 10 lives and injured even more, and caused huge economic lossessince it made landfall in the north on September 16.

Eightof the dead victims are in Lang Son province, while an 8-month childdied in Ha Giang when a house collapse, and another death was reportedin the northern central province of Nghe An.

Quang Ninhsuffered a loss of close to 20 billion VND (950,000 USD), with over5,100ha of crops under water and 20 fallen utility poles.

After sweeping out of Quang Ninh, Kalmaegi weakened into a tropicaldepression area and headed to the northwestern region.

In HaGiang, torrential rain and cyclones wrecked hundreds of houses,including eight schools in Dong Van, Meo Vac, Quan Ba, Hoang Su Phi andXin Man districts.

The hurricane inundated hundreds ofhectares of crops and caused landslides that disrupted traffic inseveral areas. The damage is estimated at 4 billion VND (190,000 USD).

In Ha Nam, some 16,000ha of paddy fields, 46 percent of allfields, were affected. Only 400ha of fields had been harvested bySeptember 17.

Though Kalmaegi is retreating, occasionalgales and rainstorms will continue until September 22, the provincialMeteorological Centre forecasts.

Thai Binh and Ha Namauthorities are taking action to protect the remaining crops and haverequested the opening of sluice gates to release excess water.

Army and police forces are on standby in case search and rescue operations are required.

Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Bac Kan and Cao Bang provinces are also busywith clean-up efforts and assisting affected households.-VNA