Vietnam storm death toll rises

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — The death toll from a Pacific tropical storm has risen to 87 in Vietnam today, even as authorities speed up rescue and relief operations.

In the hardest-hit province, 26 more deaths were reported as information trickled in from isolated areas. Another 13 people are missing. More than 14,000 people have been evacuated.

Officials says soldiers in dozens of speed boats have been rushing instant noodles, water and clothes to victims in flooded areas who have gone hungry for the past two to three days. In addition, three military helicopters have been dropping food to victims in remote areas.

Elsewhere in the region, disaster officials say the storm and flooding have left another 22 people dead and six others missing.

Although flood waters are beginning to recede, many areas remain swamped.

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<<CUT …086 (11/04/09)>> 00:07 "Vietnam on Wednesday"

Tran Van Minh

AP Correspondent Tran Van Minh reports the latest storm to strike Vietnam has claimed dozens of lives.

<<CUT …087 (11/04/09)>> 00:08 "areas trickled in"

Tran Van Minh

AP Correspondent Tran Van Minh reports the hardest-hit province was Phu Yen. (Note: pronunciation of Phu Yen is "foo yen")

<<CUT …088 (11/04/09)>> 00:15 "nearly 15,000 people"

Tran Van Minh

AP Correspondent Tran Van Minh reports thousands of flood victims are being helped.

<<CUT …089 (11/04/09)>> 00:05 "in isolated areas"

Tran Van Minh

AP Correspondent Tran Van Minh reports in the hardest-hit province of Phu Yen soldiers are also coming to the rescue of people in the nearby province of Binh Dinh. (Note: Binh Dinh is pronounced "bihn dihn")

<<APPHOTO HAN103 (11/03/09)>>

: People walk along a flooded railroad in Binh Dinh province, in the south central coast, in Vietnam, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The death toll from Tropical Storm Mirinae rose to 57 in Vietnam on Wednesday as authorities stepped up rescue and relief operations in the affected central regions.

<<APPHOTO HAN101 (11/03/09)>>

: A flooded house is seen in Phu Yen area in Vietnam, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The death toll from Tropical Storm Mirinae rose to 57 in Vietnam on Wednesday as authorities stepped up rescue and relief operations in the affected central regions.