Torrential rainfall in some parts of southern India has wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh, where at least 54 people have been reported dead.

Rain lashed the Nellore, Chittoor and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh, bordering Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday.

The heavy downpour in the last two days has caused flooding in low-lying areas of Nellore, Chittoor and Prakasam. Streams and tanks were reportedly overflowing.

Normal life in some parts of the three districts has been crippled due to the heavy rain. At least 5,000 people in the Nellore district have been shifted to 50 relief camps. 

The showers damaged crops and disrupted road and train services in the affected regions, an IANS report quoted officials as saying.

The state authorities have declared high alert in the three districts as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rain for the next two days.

The Andhra Pradesh government has put the loss suffered due to destruction of roads and standing crops tentatively at Rs 3,000 crore. The state has asked the Central government to provide immediate assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for relief and restoration in the affected districts.

The low pressure in the Bay of Bengal has wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadu, where 269 people have been killed and thousands displaced as flooding caused by rainwater has submerged their houses.

There has been no rainfall in Tamil Nadu since Tuesday night, and water is reported to be receding in some parts of Chennai, which has been affected the most. The IMD has, however, said rainfall will continue to lash the state for the next one week.