India heat wave triggers power outages, exhaustion

A searing heat wave has caused power outages and showed no sign of abating across the country.

Some tourists in Jammu and Kashmir said they had travelled from Mumbai to escape the heat, but found the heat wave stretched across large swathes of the country.

"I read in the newspapers that the temperature in the state have broken the past ten years' records and stand at its peak now. I am here with my family and have come from Mumbai to enjoy the cold weather, but it is very hot right now," said Eijaz Ahmed, a tourist from Mumbai.

A meteorologist said the heat followed a pattern of rising temperatures year-on-year since 1984.

"If we compare statistics, the temperatures have been on the increase. In the year 1984, the temperature recorded in the month of May was 46.6 degree Celsius and considered to be very high. Rains would reduce the heat, but as of now there are no signs of monsoon's arrival," said M. M. Khushu.

Power outages have left some without fans or refrigerators and no means to cool down. Uttar Pradesh had only 8,000 megawatts available to meet demands of 11.000 watts.