HANOI, Vietnam — Heavy rain and strong winds from the former Typhoon Bualoi flooded roads, knocked off roofs and caused at least 12 deaths in central Vietnam before weakening to a tropical storm that moved Monday into Laos, state media reported.

The storm tore through communities, damaging houses, schools and power poles, sweeping away temporary bridges and flooding roads and low-water crossings across several provinces. Flooding in cities submerged vehicles, and many highland communities were cut off.

State media said rescue teams were searching for 17 missing fishermen.

By midmorning, the storm’s centre was over land near the border of Nghe An province and Laos, with winds of 74 km/h. In the afternoon it pushed deep into Laos and weakened into a tropical depression, according to the N

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