Local officials say this is the hottest summer in the country since late 1800s. More than 100 people are reported to have died in the state of Gujarat where the mercury topped at 48.5⁰ C last week. At least 90 died in Maharashtra, 35 in Rajasthan and 34 in Bihar.

The death toll is expected to rise with experts forecasting temperatures approaching 50⁰C in coming weeks.

Hospitals in Gujarat have been receiving around 300 people a day suffering from food poisoning and heat stroke. Officials admit the figures are only a fraction of the total as most of the casualties are found in remote rural villages.

Wildlife and livestock has also suffered with voluntary organisations in Gujarat reporting the deaths of bats and crows and dozens of peacocks reported dead at a forest reserve in Uttar Pradesh.

Even India's northern hill stations – historically a refuge from the heat – have not escaped. Temperatures in Shimla, recorded a peak temperature of 32.4⁰C, eight degrees hotter than the seasonal average.

Forecasters have predicted that the south-west monsoon could arrive over the southern state of Kerala as early as June, but it is unlikely to reach the parched north before the end of June. Mean temperatures for both March and April were the highest in more than 100 years.