A powerful summer storm shook homes as locals scrambled for shelter in northeast Thailand.

Footage shows heavy rains lashing houses and blowing away tents in Khon Kaen province, on March 3 afternoon.

The storm also ripped off roofs of a hardware store and several homes in Ban Non Muang village.

Authorities said the freak weather damaged at least 80 houses and knocked down power to the area after toppling more than 40 power poles.

Officials cut off electricity to the village for repairs.

A resident named Prasai Singkom said: 'The wind picked up very quickly. At that time, it was early evening. My family and I were inside the house. Luckily, none of us were hurt.

'We have been living here for 60 years. This is the first time I've seen a summer storm so strong that it peeled the roof off my house.'

The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a summer storm warning for much of Thailand over the next few days.

It warned of gusty winds and thunderstorms across the north, northeast, east, and central regions including the capital Bangkok.

The agency said the weather conditions are caused by a strong high-pressure system covering northeast Thailand and the South China Sea.