Relief workers and troops have been trying to deliver aid where they can [AFP]

Anger and desperation are growing in southern India as villages continue to be swamped by floodwaters that have left 2.5 million people homeless and left more than 250 dead.

Thousands of soldiers and relief workers have been trying to get much-needed aid to survivors, distributing food, water and medical supplies where they can.

Millions of people are crammed in overwhelmed temporary government shelters after heavy rains last week triggered what some officials have called the worst floods to hit the area in a century.

With vast tracts of agricultural land, including sugarcane and paddy fields, under water, the authorities estimate the damage across the three sprawling states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra to cost billions of dollars.

Just weeks ago, most parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were suffering from severe drought but an area of low pressure in the Bay of Bengal caused the sudden, torrential rains.

Hundreds of thousands of other victims have sought shelter in the homes of friends and relatives.

Officials said damage to roads was making the delivery of relief supplies difficult and rescue teams and aid workers now fear the spread of water-borne diseases.

The flood waters have been receding after a 48-hour halt in the rain, officials said, but more rain is forecast for the area over the next 24 hours.

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