170 killed in 2 weeks in rain-related incidents in southern India

As many as 170 people have died in rain-related incidents in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the past two weeks, a government official said Tuesday.

"The state, including its capital Chennai, is reeling under heavy rains for the past two weeks. Some 170 people have died across the state so far," he said, on condition of anonymity.

Chennai is one of the worst-hit cities as large parts are now under knee-deep water, with authorities struggling to contain flooding.

All schools and colleges have declared rain holidays in Chennai and office-goers face a harrowing time on the roads.

The Indian armed forces have been pressed into action, alongside the state forces and disaster management personnel, and many people have been rescued from flood-hit areas.

The state government has come under sever criticism for its failure to deal with the situation and the central government has released emergency funds for relief and rescue operations. Endit