Chennai floods: Thousands driven from homes after heaviest rainfall in more than a century

Thousands of people have been driven from their homes, after the heaviest rainfall in more than 100 years has caused major flooding in southern India. Across the state of Tamil Nadu cities were flooded, including Chennai. It is thought more than 150 people have lost their lives in the severe weather.

Chennai resident Prashant said: "This time may be due to the government's lack of preparation before the monsoon. Waterlogging everywhere, if you see from this side to that side, from that side to this side – everywhere it is water. People are finding it very difficult to find a shop to buy groceries. Everything is closed. From last night, no power."

Chennai airport was almost brought to a standstill due to the weather conditions, with 25 flights cancelled on 2 December. Cars were seen completely submerged in the street, while some people were forced to jump from windows to escape the rising water.

Some have blamed climate change for the floods, and say that it is worrying that the amount of rainfall has increased so dramatically.

Rakesh Kamal, programme officer in climate change at the Centre for Science and Environment, said "More than 100 lakes that have been there have been dumped (into). The wetlands have been converted into sewage canals. That becomes a really major issue for the city to even handle it.

"Chennai, even on a normal course, is only around six meters above sea level but its natural lakes helped the water drain out in the past. But with them being closed, we'll only be seeing more and more rainfall like this happening in the future. We better start worrying about it. We have to prepare our infrastructure and also be ready with our climate change plans."

The Indian Meteorological department forecast more rains for 3 December.