This is the dramatic moment a shed was knocked down by a raging tropical storm that damaged hundreds of buildings in northern Thailand on Saturday.

Frantic locals took cover inside a beauty clinic as fierce gales ripped through Chiang Mai province on March 18.

Footage shows how they screamed as the shed was toppled over by the violent winds whipping outside amid the torrential rain.

Humid temperatures soared to 34 degrees Celsius before the raging downpour lashed homes causing extensive damage in Chiang Mai province shortly after 3:30pm local time on Saturday.

Officials said that at least 12 people were injured across the city when high-voltage power lines collapsed, roofs were dislodged and billboards toppled over.

Electricity was lost across more than half of Chiang Mai, the country's second largest city after the capital Bangkok, while dozens of cars were also damaged.

Emergency workers were still working to restore power to some homes and repair damage on Sunday morning, March 19.

Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia are approaching their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms.