Houses in north, northeast Thailand damaged by storm

BANGKOK, April 6 (TNA) - Thousands of people are left homeless after their houses in the north and northeastern provinces are damaged following a freak summer and hailstorm, officials said Sunday. In the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, more than 3,000 houses in five districts are affected by the storm, considered as the worst in a decade, officials said. Freak storm as well as thunder shower also took place in Phichit province, damaging more than 120 houses in two districts, officials said. Roofs, mostly made of zinc sheet, were blown away. Big trees along a highway linking between Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan provinces were uprooted and blocked the traffic. Officials are now clearing the road by removing them. Officials said a similar situation was seen in the northeastern district of Kantharalak bordering Cambodia. More than 100 houses were damaged while high-powered electricity posts had fallen, causing power blackout. Concerned officials are now inspecting damages so that assistance could be provided to affected people. No casualties were reported. (TNA)