This is the dramatic moment desperate locals clambered across power lines to escape eight-foot floods in southern Thailand.

Desperate villagers tightroped across the cables as the record deluge submerged their homes in Hat Yai, Songkhla, on November 25.

Footage shows the trio balancing themselves on the black cords, which they used as a makeshift bridge.

Around them, floodwaters had already reached the second floors of homes as heavy rain continued to batter the city.

The water supply and electricity have been partially cut off in the area since Monday evening.

Songkhla Governor Ratthasart Chidchoo on Monday declared all 16 districts in the province disaster zones, and ordered the immediate evacuation of children, the elderly, and the sick.

Soldiers, volunteers, and local government units have also been mobilised to hasten relief efforts, but they were hobbled by limited phone signal.

The Thai navy said it was preparing to deploy 14 boats and the aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet to southern Thailand, with medical teams, supplies, and field kitchens able to supply 3,000 meals a day.

The navy said in a statement: 'The fleet is ready to deliver forces and carry out actions as the Royal Navy orders.'

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said some 1.9 milion people were affected.

Authorities said at least 13 people have been killed in the catastrophic floods, described by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as 'the worst flooding in 15 years'.

The Southern Eastern Meteorological Centre said a strong monsoon trough was causing the heavy rainfall, which was expected to ease this week.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.