Torrential rain and strong winds lashing India’s southern and eastern coasts have killed at least six people as states there braced for a powerful storm expected to make landfall later Tuesday.

Heavy rains and strong winds from a severe cyclonic storm have been battering India's southern coast with reports that several people have died. Thousands of people living in low lying areas have been evacuated in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Chest-high waters surged down the streets of India's southern city Chennai on Tuesday with eight people killed in intense floods as Cyclone Michaung was set to make landfall on the southeast coast.Police said on Tuesday that eight people have been killed in state capital Chennai.