A wild monitor lizard rampaged across residents' roofs after escaping from floods in Thailand.

The 7ft long beast had clambered onto the corrugated iron roofing as it sought shelter from the deluge in Nakhon Ratchasima province on May 29.

Terrified homeowners, thinking the loud thumps were a burglar's footsteps, peered out of their windows - only to see the lumbering reptile crawling around instead.

They called specialists to catch the lizard. However, officers had difficulty as the creature kept crossing over from one house to another.

It took more than 30 minutes for them to corner the monitor lizard hiding under piles of metal sheets on a balcony ledge.

Resident Sri, 50, said: 'Heavy rain fell and flooded this area last night. In the morning, we heard what sounded like someone climbing the rooftop. I asked my neighbour to check and we found the monitor lizard on the roof.'

The rescue team believe it was trying to escape the flood caused by the downpour. Officers reminded the locals to be vigilant of other animals entering their homes during the rainy season.

Asian water monitor lizards normally live in canals, swamps, sewers and ponds in cities in Thailand. They feed on fish, snakes, frogs and scraps of food left by humans.

The reptiles are aggressive when threatened and have a mildly venomous bite which sometimes carries harmful bacteria. The Godzilla-like reptiles are also a protected species in the country so their population thrives.