Flash floods swamped roads and a hospital as Tropical Storm Wipha battered northern Thailand.

Torrential downpour triggered a widespread deluge that swamped homes, government buildings, and highways in Chiang Rai on Wednesday.

The flooding forced Thoeng Hospital to suspend general services, admitting only emergency patients.

Anek Panyatom, chief of the Thoeng District which is among the hardest hit by the storm, said: 'We've been surveying the situation since morning and have dispatched officers to help residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable individuals in high-risk areas—moving evacuate to higher ground. The district has been hit hard with floodwaters from multiple rivers, especially flash floods from Doi Pha Mon mountain.'

Roads were also submerged in the Mueang Chiang Rai district due to runoff.

Authorities said more than 100 households and 22 villages were affected. Damage to public utilities and agricultural areas was being surveyed.

Typhoon Wipha has been pounding Thailand with strong winds and torrential downpours.

The Thai Meteorological Department on Monday predicted more heavy rain and high seas until July 24. It added around half of Thailand will be battered with increased rainfall due to the typhoon, which made landfall in China's southern Guangdong province on July 20.

Sukanyanee Yawinchan, director-general of the Thai Meteorological Department, said Wipha has been downgraded to a tropical depression after hitting neighbouring Laos and was expected to further weaken into a low-pressure area.