New Delhi - At least 31 people died overnight because of heavy rains in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, taking the death toll over the past two weeks to 70, news reports said Tuesday.

Twenty-seven deaths over the past 24 hours were reported from the hill district of Nilgiris, mostly because of landslides, the PTI news agency reported Tuesday, quoting local police.

Most of the deaths, which occurred starting on October 27, were due to wall and roof collapses, electrocution and landslides, police said.

Traffic on the main road leading from Tamil Nadu's capital, Chennai, to the hill resorts of Ooty and Conoor was disrupted because of landslides. Tourists were advised not to travel to the hill district over the next few days.

According to the Metereological Department on Tuesday, more heavy showers were expected over Tamil Nadu and adjoining Pondicherry during the next 48 hours.

Rains usually occur in India's southern states in October and November, brought on by the retreating monsoons. (dpa)