The worst-hit area is the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh, where more than 850 deaths have been reported. In neighboring Telangana, another 266 people have died in the ongoing heat wave.
Most of the deaths have occurred in the past week, as the temperature has not dipped below 45 degrees. Authorities say the victims were mostly construction workers, the elderly, or the homeless.
The state government of Andhra Pradesh has announced a compensation of 100-thousand rupees, about 10,000 yuan, for the families of each of the victims.
The local government has also taken up education programs through television and other media asking people to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.
In New Delhi, the maximum temperature has been recorded at 45 degrees. The heat has been so intense that it has melted crosswalk lines on major roads.
Sweltering heat prevails in northern India too. In Uttar Pradesh, government hospitals have reported a surge in the number of people suffering from heat stroke, dehydration, or complaining of upset stomachs.
Over 50 percent of villages in the city of Agra have suffered from acute water shortages, and power outage lasting over 14 hours daily.
According to the meteorological department of Hyderabad, the heat wave affecting India is due to a northwesterly dry wind combined with an area of low atmospheric pressure in the east.
Weather officials say the southwest monsoon season is predicted to hit the Indian mainland at the end of this month, which will bring some relief from the high temperatures.
For CRI, I'm Sun Yang in New Delhi.
