Vietnam fights tropical storm

The death toll in Vietnam from tropical storm Mirinae has risen to at least 87.

Authorities are now stepping up rescue and relief operations in the affected central regions.

Soldiers using speed boats continue to move people from flooded homes and provide victims with food and water. Nearly 15-thousand people were evacuated.

Many families were forced onto rooftops to escape the overflowing Ha Thanh River. Waters began receding Wednesday.

Military helicopters continue to drop food and water to villagers still stranded in isolated areas.

The storm and flooding left 52 people injured, and destroyed or damaged 14-thousand homes. About five-thousand hectares of rice and other crops have also been damaged.