A massive power breakdown has hit large parts of India for a second day running, leaving more than half the country without electricity.

In at least 20 states, many markets, hospitals and essential services were running on backup generators.

As darkness came, others businesses resorted to candlelight to carry on working, like this chemist in Siliguri, in the north-east of India.

This officer at a driving registration and licence authority in the northern city of Chandigarh resorted to working by torchlight.

The streets of the capital, Delhi, witnessed long jams as traffic lights went out.

All Metro services in the city were halted and staff evacuated trains.

A power failure on Monday also caused severe disruption and chaos across northern India.

Travel chaos engulfed the region, with thousands of passengers stranded when train services were disrupted in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Officials said much of the network was back in operation by Tuesday evening, but with many trains in the wrong places, it is expected to take some time to get back to normal.

More than 600 million people were affected by the blackout, which the power minister blamed on some states drawing too much electricity from the grid.

The country's demand for electricity has soared in recent years as its economy has grown but its power infrastructure has been unable to meet the increasing needs.