A baby elephant cried for her mother to return when the adult jumbo crossed through a surging river.

The scared calf Phu Phing was left on the banks with its caretakers while the elephant mum Mae Noi Noi was wading through the fast-flowing water in Chiang Rai province, Thailand on August 21.

Footage shows Phu Phing trumpeting repeatedly to call the attention of its mother. Mae Noi Noi was two steps away from the other side of the river but swiftly returned when her baby cried.

Mae Noi Noi was swept by the strong currents, which made the baby elephant cry even more.

However, the mother elephant was able to wade to the side where there was less current before she was guided to safety by one of the caretakers.

The baby elephant was reunited with its mother and returned to the animal camp safely.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are at the start of their annual monsoon rainy season, which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms. The rudimentary infrastructure often struggles with the deluge, leading to widespread flash floods.