River bursts banks causing heavy floods in central Thailand

A river burst its banks and caused heavy flooding during the rainy monsoon season in central Thailand.

Footage shows torrents gushing over a six-foot-high concrete fence surrounding the Yom River in Sukhothai province on August 25.

Locals had placed sandbags on top of the fence hoping to stave the overflowing floods.

Authorities said the water level had reached up to 25 feet at a section of the river's floodgate, with more run-off expected to flow down from neighbouring Phrae province.

The floods were expected to sweep into key economic areas in Sukhothai, including the districts of Sawankhalok, Si Samrong, and Mueang Sukhothai.

The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) said the monsoon trough and a convergence of southeasterly and southwesterly winds were causing heavy rain across Thailand.

Residents living in low-lying areas were urged to be vigilant of flash floods.

The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of 7ft waves along the coast near the Andaman Sea where the southwest monsoon was prevailing.

Officials said that at least 22 people have been killed across the country in floods and landslides caused by heavy rain.

They said the downpours were expected to last until August 29.

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.