1.
CV Parched ground PAN fields with disused water wheel
0.14

2.
SV & MV People resting under trees
0.27

3.
SV Pedestrian along street wiping face
0.32

4.
SV & MV People buying cooled water from carrier
0.42

5.
MV People drinking soft drinks
0.48

6.
GV Dust blowing off dried stream
0.54

7.
LV & SV Cattle drinking water
1.01

8.
MV Pigs in water hole
1.09

9.
SV & MV Camel resting under tree
1.17



Initials SGM/1140 SGM/1200



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: At least 750 people have died in northern India in the past month as the worst heat wave in 25 years has gripped the area. Although not in the worst-hit zones. New Delhi has also suffered in the hot spell.

For the past month, high temperatures have hit eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. It's reported that 152 have died in Uttar Pradesh while about 540 have been killed by the heat in Bihar.

In Delhi land is parched, farms are deserted and most people have water jugs in an effort to beat the heat.

Normally, there are monsoon rains at this time of year, but so far only a relatively small rainfall has brought relief. In parts of Bihar earlier in the month, the temperature reached a high of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Centigrade).

The hot spell has seriously damaged crops in some areas, but the extent won't be known for some time. According to initial government estimates, West Bengal's jute production this season isn't likely to exceed two million bales against a target of 3,400,000 bales.

The value of jute lost is officially put at 300 million Rupees (GBP16,665,000). Jute is India's principal foreign exchange earner.