HANOI, Nov 29, (Xinhua): Typhoon Koto has left one person dead and three others missing in Vietnam's south-central region, Vietnam News Agency reported Saturday. A man in Lam Dong province died after his basket boat capsized amid high waves. Strong gusts and rough seas under the typhoon's influence also left three people missing after another boat capsized in Khanh Hoa province.

Economic losses were estimated at over 5.6 billion Vietnamese dong (about 224,000 U.S. dollars), according to the report. Local authorities are continuing to assess the damage.

As of Saturday morning, 68 flights operated by Vietnamese airlines had altered their routes to avoid dangerous weather conditions triggered by Typhoon Koto, local daily VnExpress reported. The typhoon's eye was forecast to be located about 330 km east of coastal areas from Gia Lai to Dak Lak provinces, moving at a reduced speed of 3 to 5 km per hour, said the report.