Rescue elephants helped with storm recovery efforts by removing debris in northern Thailand.

The trained jumbos named Plai Valentine and Plai Saen Champ joined efforts to clean storm-stricken communities in Chiang Mai on April 19.

Footage shows the pair of pachyderms carrying a wooden fence flattened by the heavy wind and rains.

The province had been battered by a thunderstorm, causing damage to century-old trees, shops and houses in the area.

Phra Kru Odd, an elephant conservationist and a monk from the Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan, said the two elephants were sent to aid in relief efforts.

He said: 'These elephants have been trained in rescue operations in mountainous, aquatic, and high-terrain areas, and are able to work efficiently with rescuers under the control of their mahouts.

'They helped lift and move large tree branches and stumps that were blocking roads or located near houses.

'The elephants greatly reduced the burden and time by working efficiently alongside heavy machinery, including backhoes and cranes.'

Authorities said the operations were ongoing as only 40 per cent of the area had been cleared.

Elephants are Thailand's national animal and an important part of the country's culture and history. In the past, they were used for farming, logging, and even fighting wars.

Some elephants still live in the wild, but many are in captivity, working in tourism or living in sanctuaries. Because logging was banned and tourism has changed, many elephants are now kept in sanctuaries where they are protected and cared for.

Severe storms have been causing property damage and power outages in northern Thailand in recent weeks.

The Thai Meteorological Department today, April 21, warned of extremely high temperatures, isolated thunderstorms, and gusty winds in the region.

The agency said the weather conditions were caused by a low-pressure system caused by heat, and southerly and southwesterly winds blowing across upper Thailand.