At least 24 people have died of suspected heatstroke in India's eastern states of Bihar and Odisha, and the heatwave in the region is expected to continue for another day.
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India has been experiencing a blisteringly hot summer and a part of capital Delhi recorded the country's highest ever temperature at 52.9C this week, though that might be revised when the weather department checks the sensors of the weather station that registered the reading.
While temperatures in northwestern and central India are expected to fall in the coming days, the prevailing heatwave over east India is likely to continue until Saturday, the India Meteorological Department said.
A total of 14 people died in Bihar on Thursday, officials said, including 10 people involved in organising the seven-phase national elections that are under way.
Parts of Bihar are voting in the final round of polling on Saturday.
The deaths of 10 people were also reported in the government hospital in Odisha's Rourkela region on the same day, authorities told Reuters, prompting the Odisha government to advise against outdoor activities between 11am and 3pm when temperatures peak.
Three people died of suspected heatstroke in Jharkhand state, neighbouring Bihar, local media reported.
In Delhi, where high temperatures have been causing birds and wild monkeys to faint or fall sick, the city zoo is relying on pools and sprinklers to bring relief to its 1200 occupants.
Delhi, where the temperature was 45.4C on Friday afternoon, recorded its first heat-related death this week and is facing an acute water shortage.
Billions of people across Asia have been grappling with soaring temperatures- a trend scientists say has been worsened by human-driven climate change.
India's neighbour Pakistan has also seen a spike in forest fires as temperatures soar, going as high as 52.2C last week.
India is the world's third-biggest greenhouse gas emitter but has set a target of becoming a net-zero emitter by 2070.
While heat is affecting some of the country, the northeastern states of Manipur and Assam have been battered by heavy rainfall after Cyclone Remal, with several areas inundated on Friday.
Monsoon rains also hit the coast of the country's southernmost Kerala state on Thursday, two days earlier than expected.
Australian Associated Press
