Photos from flood-ravaged Chennai show city still underwater

Tamil Naduhit by100-year storm

The worst flooding in a century in Tamil Nadu has left more than 280 people dead since torrential rains began inNovember. In the latest deluge this week, authorities turned off power in some areas to prevent electrocutions that were blamed for several deaths.

Record-setting rains leave deepfloodwaters

While floodwaters that built up last week after nearly40 centimetres of rain fell in 24hours;the most in 100 yearshave begun to recede, vast swaths of Chennai and neighbouring districts are still under up to three metres of water.

Rescue effort shifts to disease prevention

India's health department said that the rescue operation has shifted to a relief effort that includes focusing on measures to prevent the spread ofcommunicable diseases.

Modi mocked on social media for doctored shot

Just after the rainstorms stopped, a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who travelled to Chennai to survey the damage, was found to havebeen doctored. The official Press Information Bureau (PIB) quickly replaced the image, which it posted on Twitter,with the original shot and apologized for the "error in judgement."

A city vulnerable to flooding

Chennai is a flat, coastal city with old flood mitigation measures. Trash-filled drains and buildings constructed on lake beds in the rush to industrialize havemade it more prone to flooding.

Seasonal monsoons made worse by El Nino

India's main monsoon season runs from June through September, but for Chennai and the rest of the southeastern coast, the heaviest rainfall is from October to December. Experts say the heavy rainfall was linked to the El Nino weather pattern, when the waters of the Pacific Ocean get warmer than usual.