"The real damage to homes and livelihood is becoming apparent now. The destruction in some of the slums has been near total," says Kshithij Urs, ActionAid Regional Manager in Karnataka.

"While pregnant women, new born and old are the most vulnerable, caste-based discrimination is hampering access to refleif for Dalit and other marginalised groups," he adds.

Unnikrishnan, International Emergencies Programme Manager for ActionAid, said: "ActionAid is working with community organisations to ensure relief is reaching those most in need - women and children. But the government has to step up rescue and relief efforts onto a war-footing."

ActionAid has been on the ground since the onset of the flash floods. In Andhra it is reaching to 21 villages and in Karnataka over 14,000 people from seventy slums in 6 districts with immediate relief.

There is need to step-up relief with more rescue efforts, food, drinking water, and sheets for cover, specific support to pregnant and lactating women, and children needs to be prioritised by state agencies.