Hundreds of villagers were evacuated when a reservoir overflowed sparking flash floods in northeast Thailand.

Some 750 residents were transported to evacuation centres on boats and trucks to escape the deluge spilling out of the Huai Toei Reservoir in Khon Kaen province.

Authorities said torrential rain had hit the province on October 8 and filled village streets with 12 inches of flood, with the water level still rising on Monday.

The locals were staying at the Ban Nong Kranuan School, as they waited for the flood to recede.

Khon Kaen governor Kraisorn Kongchalad and local authorities inspected the reservoir on October 9.

He said: 'At least 140 millimetres of rain had fallen in the last 24 hours as of 4 am on Monday, which caused the Huai Toei Reservoir to overflow. Water pumps have been brought in to help in the drainage process.

'At this time, we are in the process of surveying the total damage and will hold a meeting to assess the situation in providing flood relief assistance to the people in all 26 districts of Khon Kaen Province.'

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.