Heavy rain floods dozens of homes in northeast Thailand

Dozens of homes were flooded as heavy rain hit northeast Thailand.

Video shows the deluge swamping houses after nearby creeks burst their banks in Khon Kaen on July 16.

Local officials rode a boat to survey the extent of the flood, which reached up to four feet deep. Several residents said they chose not to evacuate, believing the flood would recede soon.

Direk Khamdam, 64, said the flash flood displaced his relatives as they were unable to move their belongings in time.

Another villager, Sonchai Pitola, 61, said some 20 inches of water had swamped his home.

He added: 'The flooding began at around 9 am and continued to rise until it reached my knees. Fortunately, it was not as severe as in 2019. I was able to relocate my things to a friend's house temporarily.'

Lieutenant Colonel Phiansak Phimchong of the Ban Phai Municipality said the town's flood warning system, which sends out alerts when the water at the reservoir reaches three feet, had malfunctioned due to a short circuit.

He said the warning system has been fixed, and a security camera installed at the reservoir to allow authorities to better prepare for floods.

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.