Disaster management teams stepped up relief operations today as Cyclone Vardah waned over south-eastern India after killing 14 people and causing widespread damage in the region.

The cyclone, packing winds of around 120 kilometres per hour, hit land near Chennai in Tamil Nadu yesterday afternoon.

It weakened into a "low pressure area" but was still bringing heavy rains as it moved inland, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

Vardah forced the evacuation of around 17,000 people, uprooted trees, flattened homes and large areas in Tamil Nadu and its capital Chennai were without power for several hours.

Collapsing houses and trees in four affected districts killed 12, officials at the disaster control room said.

Two more deaths were confirmed in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh, the IANS news agency reported.

Chennai, India's fourth largest city, bore the brunt of the storm and hundreds of workers were clearing roads blocked by trees, electricity poles and debris, including billboards and banners, state disaster management chief K Satyagopal said.

Offices and educational institutions will remain closed for the second day on today. Flight operations had resumed in Chennai and power had been restored to most parts.

"My prayers are with all those people who are affected due to adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Vardah. Stay safe," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.

Vardah, which means "rose" in Arabic, was the most powerful cyclone to have hit India in the past two years.

In October 2014, Cyclone Hudhud struck near the south-eastern city of Vishakapatnam claiming 31 lives.

- dpa