Dozens of homes were swamped with rainwater after heavy rain caused flash floods in northern Thailand.

Thundershowers moved over Mae Hong Son province on Tuesday (May 4) and hit the province for more than 30 minutes, causing water from nearby hills to run into surrounding towns.

Residents had to evacuate to higher places due to the strong force of the floods.

District chief Noppharat Suphakitkosol sent rescue officials to help families whose homes were covered in mud and branches.

The volunteers also came to help improve the situation by removing debris washed away in the floods. The destruction was also being evaluated and the Ministry of Finance vowed to subsidise those affected.

Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia are approaching their tropical monsoon rainy season. Soaring temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius are often followed by powerful tropical storms with thunder, lightning, rain and flash floods.