Temperatures have risen above 50 degrees Celsius in parts of northern and central India as the country struggles with extreme heat waves.
This week, more than 37 cities in the country recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius.
On Tuesday, the temperature in Narela and Mungeshpur areas of the capital Delhi reached a record 49.9 degrees Celsius.
India’s weather bureau has issued a severe heatwave warning for parts of the city.
A consumer court in Delhi on Tuesday stayed hearing of cases after the judge said it was too hot to work without air conditioning.
Churu in the western state of Rajasthan and Sirsa in the northern state of Haryana were among the hottest places in the country, with temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius.
The city of Jaipur in Rajasthan reported three deaths due to heat stroke on Tuesday.
Indian summers, which extend from March to September, are usually hot and humid.
But the weather department has said the country is likely to experience longer and more intense heat waves this year.
This month, the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat experienced nine to twelve days of heat wave, with temperatures between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius.
Maximum temperatures are likely to remain above normal in June, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said this week, adding that northwest India is expected to experience heatwaves for four to six days, compared to three normally.
The IMD also predicts an above-average monsoon season for the country this year.
The monsoon is expected to reach the coast of the southern state of Kerala on May 31.
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