Heat wave kills 16 in UP

Lucknow, June 18 (IANS) The unabated heat wave in Uttar Pradesh has claimed 16 lives since Sunday, officials said.

At least 11 people died of extreme heat conditions in the parched Bundelkhand area, two in Barabank and three in Lucknow.

According to police, the three deceased in the state capital showed signs of heat stroke and were found lying on pavements or by the roadside in different localities.

The weather office has forecast no respite from the heat wave and that the first monsoon showers might hit the state only later this week.

Temperatures touched the 45-47 degrees Celsius mark in Kanpur, Orai, Jalaun, Hardoi, Unnao, Azamgarh and Kannauj districts.

The highest was recorded in Mahoba with 47.6 degrees Celsius and 45.6 degrees Celsius in Sultanpur district.

Adding to the summer distress were power outages and growing moisture in the air -- soaring to 51 percent.