Dozens die as northern India swelters under heatwave

At least 34 people have died in the past two days as a large swath of the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh swelters under severe heat, officials said on Saturday.

The dead were all aged over 60 and had pre-existing health conditions that may have been exacerbated by the intense heat. The fatalities occurred in Ballia district, some 300km (200 miles) southeast of Lucknow, the state capital.

India Meteorological Department data shows Ballia reported a maximum temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday, which is 4.7C (8F) above normal.