A monitor lizard emerged in a flooded home as heavy rain battered southern Thailand.

The reptile entered the house as the deluge surged into homes in Chumphon province on December 15.

Footage shows the reptile lurking in a corner of the swamped living room as wildlife officers tried to snare it with a catch pole.

Despite the team's efforts, the monitor lizard broke free and swam away into the inundated street.

Torrential rains have been battering southern Thailand since December 13. The islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui have also affected by the heavy rain and floods.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned that a low-pressure system, moving from the lower South and Malaysia towards the Andaman Sea from December 13 to 15, would bring additional rain, with isolated heavy showers.

Strong winds are expected to raise Gulf waves to 6.6ft to 9.8ft (2m to 3m), with waves exceeding 9.8ft (3m) during thundershowers.

Residents in the south are advised to be cautious of flash floods, especially near waterways, foothills, and low-lying areas.

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.