Heavy rain batters homes in northeastern Thailand as the country enters its annual rainy season bringing severe floods.

Video shows a violent rainstorm whipping through a property in Maha Sarakham province on May 16. The powerful winds tore down a large branch that nearly hit a car parked inside the property.

Thailand's Meteorological Department said the country officially entered its rainy season on May 13. Bouts of rain showers are expected to occur until mid-October, with a dry spell possibly occurring mid-June to mid-July due to the El Nino and La Nina phenomena.

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.

Neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines are reaching the start of their tropical monsoon rainy season.

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