This is the heartwarming moment locals rescued a pet dog that was swept away by deadly floods.

The five-year-old pooch was carried away by the muddy torrents that swamped homes in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, on Wednesday morning (December 2).

Footage shows how the dog was battling to survive as it paddled frantically against the fast-flowing deluge which had overflowed from a river.

Locals crowded round to save the pooch but with many of them unable to swim, they were too scared to venture into the water.

They used a long bamboo pole to try and reach the dog to give it something to cling to before one of the younger girls reached forward.

With her mother holding her arm, she was able to grab the dog, named Tan, and haul it to safety.

Relieved owner, Ampai, said: ''The floods came so quickly without any warning, we couldn't make sure that all the animals were safe. The water just carried away the dog.

''Tan was shivering and tired when we pulled him out of the water. He was a little bit afraid but he has recovered now.''

The region, close to the border with Malaysia, has been lashed with storms and is expected to suffer more heavy rain and flash floods until December 4.

Officials said that in the neighbouring province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, at least 351 villages across 15 districts were flooded and that 16,709 households, or 47,939 people, had been affected. There were also reports of landslides.

Rescue teams in boats evacuated the stranded residents as they prepared for more rain.

Thailand's Southern Meteorological Center warned that the province was on "red alert" due to the continuous rain.

Governor Kraisorn Wisitwong said he had instructed the provincial disaster and mitigation office to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected people.

Trains and aeroplanes into the province have also been cancelled due to the weather.