Almost 300 people have died in southern India following devastating floods which have affected thousands of people.

The floods follow days of torrential rain along the coast of southern India facing the Bay of Bengal.

The city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu state has been heavily affected, and over two thousand people have been evacuated from the city after they were left stranded by the floods. Homes and other public buildings have been inundated, and roads and railways have been left impassable by the flood. Power has been shut down for most of the city and train and air services are suspended until the situation clears.

In order to help relieve the city, the Indian government has begun releasing water from the Chembarambakkam reservoir near Chennai. Residents living along the Adyar River have also been advised to retreat to safer locations.

In addition to Chennai, the nearby cities of Puducherry and Adyar have also suffered from the flooding.