Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain in southern India have killed 41 people in one day of downpours, expected to continue over the next day.

Police made the announcement Tuesday while total deaths recorded across several districts in the state of Tamil Nadu in the last week amount to over 70.

Up to 61 centimeters (24 inches) of rain has swept through Nilgiris over two days, police said, adding one village was destroyed in the hillside district, nearly 450 kilometers (280 miles) west of the state capital Chennai.

"Nilgiris bore the brunt of the rain and 38 lives have been lost there in the last two days," a local police officer told AFP, referring to more deaths overnight and on Monday.

Another three were killed overnight in more southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

A landslide also demolished nearly 300 tin-roofed mud huts on Monday in the Ooty and Coonoor region, said an official, adding 14 bodies were dug out on Monday and another 25 on Tuesday.

Rescue teams have been dispatched to help those trapped under rubble amid mounting fears of rising number of casualties due to collapsing of walls, drowning or electrocution.

Schools were closed in several districts and heavy rain is expected over the next 24 hours.

MRS/SC/DT