Severe storms submerged homes after battering northern Thailand over the weekend.

The heavy rain battered villages and caused canals and rivers to overflow into low-lying neighbourhoods in Phayao province on Sunday August 21.

The inclement weather has prompted authorities to urge residents to take their belongings and evacuate to higher ground as the downpours continue, with the Pong district among the worst-hit areas.

Local government officials said they have deployed staff to assist the townsfolk affected by the flooding.

Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines are in the middle of their tropical monsoon rainy season, which lasts until October or November.

Soaring temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius are often followed by powerful tropical storms with thunder, lightning, rain and flash floods.