1st LD Writethru: 400 die in heat wave across India

Around 400 people have died due to heat wave across India in the last four days, a senior official said Sunday.

"Heat wave has claimed nearly 200 lives in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and 200 in the neighboring state of Telangana. The victims, mostly homeless people, have died due to heat stroke, " he said, on condition of anonymity.

Part of northern India, including the national capital, are also reeling under intense heat wave, with the maximum temperature touching nearly 45 degrees Celcius.

A senior weather official said that heat wave would continue in India for some more days and attributed the condition to an ongoing heat wave in Pakistan.

"In the Indian capital particularly, no relief can be expected in the next four days. The heat wave will continue. The temperature in Pakistan is 50 degrees Celcius and the heat wave is coming from there," Director of Indian Meteorological Office B.K. Yadav told the media.

Health officials have advised people to avoid going out during peak summer hours and to drink plenty of water before venturing out. Endi