Indian Heat Wave: Temperatures Crack 50ºC in Northern Cities

India is known for its geographical diversity and unique culture, but it's another subcontinental characteristic that's gaining attention this month: the country's truly staggering heat. A heat wave has rocked parts of India for the last month, causing over one hundred deaths and a lengthy list of infrastructure issues.

News stations have released various different heat-related death counts, putting the current figure between 120 and 140 people. Many north Indian homes lack air conditioning, leaving residents with few methods of completely sheltering themselves from the immense heat and seasonal humidity.

Temperatures have risen in the region for two years now, with 2009's summer yielding some of the hottest temperatures on record. With recorded temperatures of over 49ºC, the current heat wave could go down in history as India's warmest and most economically devastating, affecting thousands of farmers and potentially costing the warmest regions millions of dollars in lost agricultural income.

Residents of New Delhi, the country's capital and India's largest northern city have taken a unique approach to fighting the heat. Instead of relying on poor home cooling systems, locals have taken 'long-distance' continual rides on the city's air conditioned subway system or invested in hand-fans and other portable air conditioning solutions.