Death Toll From Flash Flood in Northern Thailand Reaches 28

World News Australia

As many as 40 people are feared dead from a nighttime flash flood that hit three mountainside villages in northern Thailand.

The Thai interior ministry says a two-metre torrent swept away hundreds of houses on Friday in Phrae province, 500-kilometers north of Bangkok.

More than seven-thousand people were left homeless.

The Ministry's disaster relief centre says 28 people are confirmed dead and 12 other people reported missing.

The high toll is due to people being asleep when the flood hit.

Heavy deforestation in the province is thought partly to blame for the tragedy.