Heatwave kills at least 18 in India

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-02-2009 12:25

A scorching heat wave has swept through more than a dozen Indian states. At least 18 people have died of heat strokes in the eastern state of Orissa.

A child drinks water from a roadside  water tap during a hot summer day in  Bhubaneswar, India, Friday, May 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

New Delhi has been reeling under temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, for the past four days. The highest temperature of nearly 47.5 degrees Celsius, or 118 degrees Fahrenheit, was recorded on Thursday at Khandua in the central Madhya Pradesh state.

People ventured out with their heads and faces covered. Local residents complained that the heat make them want to stay inside or sit under the shade of trees.

The meteorological department says the heat wave is likely to continue for at least two more days. The government is investigating another 36 suspected heat wave deaths.

Editor:Zhang Ning