In Sri Lanka, 20 people have died in recent days, most from drowning, while five were hurt in landslides, officials said on Wednesday.
The low pressure depression behind the rains was expected to move toward Tamil Nadu on Thursday evening, Sri Lanka’s weather office said. Five people have already died in the state, which hosts India’s automobile manufacturing center in its capital, Chennai.
The Indian Meteorological Department issued a red alert to parts of Tamil Nadu and the neighboring Andhra Pradesh state, asking fishermen not to venture to sea.
Tamil Nadu state officials evacuated hundreds of people from low-lying areas and distributed rations and food to those already affected by the rains.
The state’s Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Twitter he had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release funds from the National Disaster Relief Fund, adding that previously-allocated money was exhausted.