Mumbai hit badly by monsoon chaos

Life in India's financial capital, Mumbai, has come to a halt

Transport systems in India's financial capital Mumbai (Bombay) have been badly hit by three days of heavy rainfall.

The severe weather has forced commuters to wade through filthy, knee-deep waters and schools have been closed.

Flights at the international airport, India's busiest, and train services have been badly disrupted.

It has triggered fears of a repeat of last year's deluge which bought the city to a practical standstill and claimed 1,000 lives.

At least 30 people have died across India after several days of incessant rain.

Many residents in Mumbai say that the civic authorities have not done enough to prepare for this year's monsoon season and flash floods.

Forecasters warn that more "heavy to very heavy showers" were on the way.

Chaos

The authorities in the eastern state of Orissa said on Tuesday that at least 21 people have been killed in two districts in the state due to landslides.

Thousands of families living in low-lying areas have been evacuated and moved to safer areas.

In the neighbouring state of Jharkhand, nine people died when a boat carrying them capsized on the Kanhar river.

Water levels in many of the state's rivers have risen sharply after two days of heavy rain.