Many killed as tropical storm lashes India

Chennai: At least 10 people were killed by severe floods caused by a tropical storm in one of India's biggest cities, officials said on Wednesday.

Heavy rains brought down houses, uprooted trees and damaged crops in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, officials and witnesses said.

Authorities are working to move hundreds to higher ground in the city of Chennai.

Schools have also been shut state-wide on Wednesday, and fishermen were warned against going out to sea.

Snakes moved into flooded homes in Chennai, forcing people to flee. Some called wildlife parks to get the reptiles removed.

"Several snakes, including cobras, have been rescued so far following distress calls," K.S. Satyamoorthy, an wildlife official said on Wednesday.

At least 10 people have died in remote areas in the state over the past week, mostly by electrocution as overhead electric wires snapped after the storm, Nisha, swept across the state.

Authorities said the storm was expected to cross the Tamil Nadu coast late on Wednesday and gradually weaken.