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Severe heat wave claims hundreds of lives across India

File photo shows a man covering his head to protect himself from the scorching heat in Delhi.

Indian authorities have issued a red alert after a severe heat wave left hundreds dead across the South Asian country in ten days.

Indian authorities on Sunday confirmed the death of about 290 people across the country, including the capital New Delhi.

The southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are the hardest hit with some 230 deaths. Dozens more casualties have been reported in Delhi and the eastern states of West Bengal and Odissa.

Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, said at least 100 people have died and there was a water shortage in several districts across the state.

In the neighboring Telangana state, the heat has claimed 130 lives in the past 10 days.

This is while the Indian media outlets estimate the death toll to be much higher with local reports signaling over 350 deaths.

Day temperatures in these regions were recorded close to 48 degrees Celsius on the weekend. Residents have been forced to stay indoors and roads are deserted.

India's Meteorological Department has sounded a red alert for several states.

Meteorological office director, BK Yadav, attributed the heat in north India to an ongoing heat wave in neighboring Pakistan, saying, "The temperature there is 50 degrees and the heat wave is coming from there."

The department has warned that the heat wave condition will continue for the next several days in large swathes of northern and southern India.

JR/KA/SS


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