More than 3,000 houses in 23 villages in Chiayaphum are suffering what is said to be the most severe flooding in 100 years.

Tambon Ban Phet was the worst affected. There were 23 villages in the sub-district with more than 3,000 homes. All the houses were flooded.

Of the 23 villages, Nong Phak Waen, or Moo 21 village, with about 600 houses, was hardest hit.

The entire village was inundated with water about 2 metres deep. Some of the houses were completely submerged. Residents had been forced up onto their rooftops.

Rescuers and local officials were using boats to evacuate them to temples and schools on higher ground.

The rescue was made difficult by the deep, rapidly flowing water. Villagers had to be lowered from the rooftops on slings to the rescue boats.

The mayor said this year's flooding in Bamnet Narong district was probably the most severe in 100 years.

On Monday morning, the water level was steady, raising hopes it had peaked and would gradually recede and return to normal in a week or so, he said.