On Monday night, authorities in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, said six people in the city had died as the impending storm unleashed rains that caused trees to topple and walls to collapse, and submerged roads and cars in knee-deep waters.

Heavy rains and strong winds from a severe cyclonic storm have been battering India's southern coast with reports that several people have died. Thousands of people living in low lying areas have been evacuated in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Monday evening that his government was taking all necessary measures on a war footing to provide relief measures