Heavy rains lash India’s southern and eastern coasts as a powerful storm closes in
Associated PressNEW DELHI — Heavy rains and strong winds pelted India’s southern and eastern coastlines on Monday and states were put on high alert after a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a powerful storm, authorities said. The Andhra Pradesh state government shut schools on Monday while authorities in Tamil Nadu declared a public holiday in four districts that are likely to bear the brunt of the downpours. In Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai, strong rains submerged roads and cars in knee-deep waters that flooded parts of the city as members of India’s National Disaster Response Force began evacuating those in low-lying areas. India’s weather department said parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were likely to see over 200 millimeters of rain over the next 24 hours.