Tropical storm, rain hit northern provinces

CHIANG MAI, April 7 (TNA) - A tropical storm has hit the northern province of Chiang Mai and damaged nearly 70 houses while heavy rain is seen in its nearby province of Lampang. Officials said nearly 70 houses in a village of Doi Lo district in Chiang Mai province were damaged Friday. Roofs of many houses were blown away while upto 100 Longan trees, grown by local farmers were also damaged. Meanwhile, about 90 millimetres of rain fell in Lampang province on throughout Friday night and flooded houses in two villages in the provincial seat. However, the floodwater as high as one metre in some areas receded quickly, hours after the rain stopped. Officials and soldiers rushed to the affected areas to offer assistance to the poor villagers. (TNA)