This is the scary moment floodwater suddenly swamped a temple pathway in Thailand.

Footage shows how temple visitors rushed to escape the torrents surging across the walkway in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok on November 8 morning.

The temple had earlier kept protective barriers to block the water from entering the premises following several days of heavy rain and a high tide. However, the water broke the gate and flushed into the property.

Water from the Chao Phraya River had also flooded onto several homes within 10 metres distance from the temple.

Monks and villagers had already repaired the barrier. Nonthaburi province authorities are working on constructing a stronger barrier for the temple.

The scene came amid flooding in the Bangkok Noi, Taling Chan, Bang Khunthian and Nong Chok districts as well as neighbouring Samut Prakan province.

Thailand’s Hydrographic Department said the river’s water level peaked in front of the Royal Thai Navy headquarters at 2.16 metres above mean sea level at 9.55am. It predicted an even higher rise the next day.

Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia and The Philippines are at the peak of their tropical monsoon rainy season, which lasts until late November. Soaring temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius are often followed by powerful tropical storms with thunder, lightning, rain and flash floods which cause rivers to flow faster and become dangerous.

Many of the under-developed nations struggle to cope with the heavy rain due to under-investment infrastructure.