LAMPANG, Aug 22 - One villager is missing and feared drowned while thousands of residents have been affected to higher ground as flash floods have hit the northern province of Lampang, officials said Sunday.

Water runoff from a mountain destroyed a number of houses in Ko Kha district while one local resident was swept away by the flash flood. Rescue workers were searching for the victim.

In Chae Hom district, more than 50 houses were affected by one metre deep floodwaters, and many vehicles were swept away by the flood. Cars were unable to pass through the district, officials said.

Lampang disaster response authorities said more than 700 houses in seven districts of the province are now under deep water, with the situation especially critical in three districts including the provincial seat, where canal overflowed damaging homes and drowning livestock.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that flash floods are expected in 16 provinces in the North, Northeast and Central regions. It has forecast that heavy rains are anticipated in these provinces and residents should be on alert for water run-off from mountains. (MCOT online news)