This is the heartwarming moment a drowning cat was rescued during severe floods in southern Thailand, where at least 33 people have been killed by the disaster.

The moggie was seen weakly paddling its paws as it struggled to keep afloat in floodwaters in Songkhla province, on November 26.

It was almost swallowed by the deluge before rescuers on boats spotted it trying to clamber up a fence.

Footage shows the crew swerving toward the stranded feline to pluck it off the inundated street.

They placed it on top of the concrete fence, but decided to take it with them when they found it was too exhausted to move.

Onlooker Niwas Srichompoo Kwang said: 'Every life is precious. I saw the cat, but I could only stand and scream from the seventh floor. I hope the cat recovers soon. It's safe and very lucky that there was a rescue team passing by. Thank you very much to the rescue team. I'm so happy I could cry.'

The death toll has climbed to 33 as catastrophic floods, described by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as 'the worst flooding in 15 years', swept through southern Thailand.

Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said: 'There have been 33 deaths across seven provinces. Causes of death include being swept away by currents, drowning, electrocution, and landslides.'

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

The Thai military has sent some 200 boats, 20 helicopters and its lone aircraft carrier, the Chakri Naruebet, to deliver essential supplies and carry out rescue efforts.

Songkhla's Hat Yai district was among the worst-hit areas, which saw a record 13 inches (335 mm) of rain in a single day on November 21.

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

On Sunday, high-clearance trucks arrived to evacuate more than 400 tourists from flooded hotels across the city.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said that floods hit nine southern provinces, affecting some 1,128,284 households and 3,221,958 people.

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.