Dozens dead in Indian deluge

The rains are the heaviest for nearly half a century

More than 100 people have been killed after a third day of heavy monsoon rain and floods in southern India.

Casualty figures are expected to go up as there is no sign of a let-up in the rains

Official spokesman Vijay Kumar

More than 50,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Andhra Pradesh state.

Most were in the state capital, Hyderabad, which received more than half its annual rainfall in a 24-hour period - the heaviest recorded deluge in nearly half a century.

Air force helicopters have rescued 150 people from city rooftops, and near the town of Nandial to the south, plucked 15 people to safety from a tree in one operation.

Earlier this month, more than 100 people died and millions were made homeless when monsoon floods hit north-eastern India.

A spokesman for the state government said the heavy rains had left a trail of death and destruction on the Andhra Pradesh coast.

"Casualty figures are expected to go up as there is no sign of a let-up in the rains," the spokesman, Vijay Kumar said.

Several homes are said to have been flattened by strong winds.

Most of the deaths are a result of walls and buildings collapsing while many drowned in swollen rivers.

Twenty people have died in Hyderabad, but most of the deaths have been in the coastal district of Guntur, which has borne the brunt of the damage.

Boats and helicopters

The rains have blocked roads leaving thousands stranded.

Many are still stranded

The state authorities are giving top priority to rescuing stranded people and providing emergency food and clothing.

The authorities have put boats into action as well, and say that some 700 medical and relief teams are committed to the operation.

In one operation, helicopters rescued 53 passengers from the roof of a bus after it became stranded in floodwater.

Fears of disease

More rain has been forecast for the area.

"The depression is expected to blow overland on Thursday bringing more rains to the coastal Kakinada district," Vijay Kumar said.

Andhra Pradesh facts

Population 78m

Coastline nearly 1,000 km long

Some 70% dependent on agriculture

Hyderabad an emerging IT centre

The state government has issued warnings asking schools and colleges to close.

The chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu, has said that the floodwater could spread disease.

"There is such a heavy backlog of water in Hyderabad that refuse from sewage drains may enter pipes carrying drinking water," Mr Naidu said.

The minister rejected criticism that his government was ill prepared to cope with the disaster.