19 more die of heatstroke in India: report*

NEW DELHI, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2007

Nineteen deaths due to a severe heat wave were reported from northern
and central India Sunday, taking the toll to 37 in two days, the Press
Trust of India reported.

The northern state of Uttar Pradesh -- one of India's most impoverished
-- was the worst hit with nine deaths, even though the mercury went down
a few notches since Saturday to 38.4 degrees Celsius (101.12 degrees
Fahrenheit).

In the desert state of Rajasthan, four beggars were found dead, police said.

Five people died in northern Punjab state, while a woman succumbed to
heatstroke in central India.

Eighteen people died of sunstroke on Saturday, taking the overall toll
since the end of April to 72, PTI said.

On Saturday, the Indian capital New Delhi recorded the hottest day this
year at 44.9 degrees Celsius.