Torrential rains inundate Tamil Nadu

Chennai

THE heaviest rainfall in over a century has caused massive flooding across the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, driving thousands from their homes, shutting car factories and paralysing the airport in the state capital Chennai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has blamed climate change for the torrential rains, injecting urgency into the debate at global climate talks in Paris and highlighting the vulnerability of tropical nations such as India to extreme weather.

Chennai, India's fourth most populous city, is a major car manufacturing and IT outsourcing hub. Ford Motor, Daimler, Hyundai and Nissan told workers to stay at home on Wednesday, while US listed outsourcing firm Cognizant …