After Philippines, Vietnam now racing to prepare already devastated central region as typhoon nears

Residents carrying relief packages provided by Red Cross as they walk through a collapsed bridge following a landslide in Quang Tri province. Vietnam was rushing to ensure more than half a million people were out of harm's way on Tuesday, ahead of the arrival of a powerful typhoon set to dump more heavy rain on a central region devastated by weeks of intense weather. - Reuters

HANOI, Oct 27 (Reuters): Vietnam was rushing to ensure more than half a million people were out of harm's way on Tuesday, ahead of the arrival of a powerful typhoon set to dump more heavy rain on a central region devastated by weeks of intense weather.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled and schools closed in affected areas as Typhoon Molave approached over the South China Sea, packing wind speed of up to 165km (103 miles) per hour and expected to make landfall early on Wednesday.