BANGKOK, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The confirmed death toll from flood and mudslides in Thailand's north has risen to 77 while 38 people are still missing, the government said Monday.

    Flash floods swept through five northern provinces of Nan, Phrae, Lamphang, Uttaradit and Sukhothai last week, triggering mudslides that buried homes after torrential rains hit the region the weekend before.

    About 555 houses were destroyed and 3,120 were damaged, the Interior Ministry said.

    The ministry said the disaster has affected at least 170,600 residents. About 1,240 people were evacuated.

    Initial economic losses from the floods were estimated at about 1 billion baht (about 25 million U.S. dollars), the ministry said.

    Flood waters have receded in the four provinces till Monday. Enditem