INT: India Hits 117 in Heat Wave

PHOTO CAPTION: A white tiger immerses itself in water as another relaxes in a shade to protect themselves from the heat at the Nandankanan Zoological park on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, India, Tuesday, April 22, 2008. At least 25 people died in last three weeks in Orissa state in Sun stroke and all the schools have been closed for the summer vacation nearly 10 days ahead of the schedule. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

Here are the highest readings so far this month (compared to normal highest, where available in blue):

As you can see, temperatures have been as high as 117 near the center of the country, with 100-teens widespread throughout. In areas where normals were available, they were exceeded by 5 to 10 degrees. The Times of India says that in Pune, the temperature reached 41.2 C (106 F), within just over one degree of their all-time record maximum. Google News says that four people have perished.