Heat wave claims more lives

An 18-day-old heat wave in southern India, where the temperature soared to 48 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, has killed at least 1,065 people with no relief expected until the weekend at the earliest. Large swathes of India are also suffering acute water shortages as rivers, lakes and wells have dried up due to a continuing drought.

An 18-day-old heat wave in southern India, where the temperature soared to 48 degrees Celsius (118.4 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, has killed at least 1,065 people with no relief expected until the weekend at the earliest.

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Andhra Pradesh Relief Commissioner D.C. Rosaiah said 45 new deaths were reported across the state, with most of the victims beggars and street hawkers suffering heatstroke and dehydration.

Cooling monsoon rains that usually arrive over India's southern coast at the beginning of June are not expected until Sunday at the earliest.

Large swathes of India are also suffering acute water shortages as rivers, lakes and wells have dried up due to a drought caused by last year's failed monsoon.

More than 1,000 people died in a heat wave in Andhra Pradesh last summer.