Record temperatures in northern India have claimed hundreds of lives in what is believed to be the hottest summer in the country.
The death toll is expected to rise with experts forecasting temperatures approaching 50ºC in coming weeks. More than 100 people are reported to have died.
Even India's northern hill stations – historically a refuge from the heat – have not escaped. Temperatures in Shimla, recorded a peak temperature of 32.4ºC, eight degrees hotter than the seasonal average.
The capital has sweltered under intense heat for weeks though, having endured temperatures of around 45°C last week, dust storms and scattered rain brought some relief over the weekend. The new air-conditioned metro has seen record numbers of passengers as travelers abandon buses, taxis and auto rickshaws.
The Indian Meteorological Department attributes the record heat to lack of atmospheric humidity, hot dry winds blowing across the south-western Thar desert and the effects of last year's El Nino cycle.
Mean temperatures for both March and April were the highest in more than 100 years.
