Heat wave grips India

It is just the beginning of April, but the summer of 2010 is already getting too hot to handle. With temperature soaring above 40 degrees, heat waves have swept many parts of northern and eastern parts of the country.

Soaring mercury, coupled with power cuts, has already started making life miserable for people all across the country, with the temperature at an average being five notches above normal. (AP Photo)

The whole country is reeling under severe heat wave.

In this picture, a boy cools himself in the polluted waters of a canal to wade off the intense heat. (AFP Photo)

Most states are already experiencing temperatures above 40 degree Celsius and it's not likely to get better any time soon.(AP Photo)

There's no respite even in the hills. Shimla is scorching at 27 degree Celsius, which is 9 degrees above normal. (AP Photo)

Young kids jump in a lake to beat the heat as the entire nation is gripped by a severe heat wave. (AFP Photo)

In cities such as Delhi, Patna, Varanasi and Raipur, temperatures are 5-7 degrees above normal. (AFP Photo)

The three hottest cities across the country are:

•Shimla: 27 (+9)

•Delhi: 41 (+5)

•Varanasi: 44 (+6) (AFP Photo)

Besides these cities, the following cities are also experiencing an intense heat wave with the normal temperatures soaring quite high:

•Patna: 43 (+6)

•Hyderabad: 42 (+5)

•Raipur: 44 (+6) (AFP Photo)

In Jharkhand's capital the blazing sun has thrown up some basic problems. The water table of many areas has gone down by as much as 400 meters, forcing the villagers to drink from potholes and gutters. (AFP Photo)

In Lucknow, mercury has touched 42.2 degrees. But no matter how high the mercury rises, hundreds of men across the city are busy building Mayawati's dreams. (AP Photo)

The people working in the scorching heat complain of nausea and dehydration due to excessive sweating. (AP Photo)

To avoid the scorching heat, a young girl steps out completely covered. (AFP Photo)

Tourists in Japiur are already experiencing the fierce Indian summer. (AFP Photo)

Sunscreen lotions, sun glasses and sun-blocking hats have become the hottest items to be sold in the hot-hot summer.

But it's not all bad news. If the Meteorological Deportment is to be believed some parts of north India will get rain in the next few days. (AP Photo)