Heatstroke kills 16 in India as temperatures climb

At least 16 people have died of heatstroke in southern India so far this summer, as a heatwave grips swathes of the country following official health warnings.



India is no stranger to scorching summers but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.



Temperatures in several cities across the South Asian country of 1.4 billion people have recently hovered well above 45°C.



The deaths were reported in the southern state of Telangana, calling for "statewide vigilance" to safeguard public health.



Health experts say that extreme heat can lead to dehydration that thickens the blood and, in particularly severe cases, causes organs to shut down.