Almost 2,200 have been killed since the India heatwave mid-April, despite expected relief from rain over the weekend. The thundershowers this Sunday brought little relief, as intense heat is set to continue for the next four or five days, said weather officials.

The states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana experienced the brunt of the heatwave. Despite most deaths occurring in these regions, pre-monsoon showers Sunday brought only little relief. Temperatures during the day became normal average, but the boiling conditions are expected to go on for another day in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, according to officials.

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"The meteorological department has issued a warning of high temperatures for a couple of more days," said Special Commissioner P. Tulsi Rani of the Disaster-Management Department in Andhra Pradesh Sunday. However, "there should be relief with some rains expected during the next four or five days."

Sunday was the hottest in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with temperatures hovering between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius during the day.

According to Director K.Y. Reddy of the Meteorological Center in Telangana, these temperatures are considered 5 to 12 degrees above normal.

In other areas however, people were relieved from the India heatwave due to thundershowers, reported The Miami Herald.

The deadly India heatwave started mid-April, but the death toll is still rising as days with intense heat continue.

Andhra Pradesh has most deaths with 1,636 people. In Telangana, there have been 561deaths, said State Disaster Management Commissioner Sada Bhargavi.

In other portions of India like northern Uttar Pradesh, 22 were killed over the past two weeks, according to Raj Shekhar from the state government.

In eastern Orissa state, 21 died, in the western state of Gujarat, seven were killed and in India's capital New Delhi, two died, according to The Press Trust of India.

"We can't bear this heat. The situation is worsened by frequent power outages," said housewife Rekha Tiwari from Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Most deaths happened to day laborers and old people. They reportedly died from either sunstroke or dehydration.

Because of the India heatwave, a publicity campaign to avoid sunstroke was launched in Andhra Pradesh. Citizens were told to stay inside their homes during daytime, drink plenty of liquids, use umbrellas and keep their bodies covered.

According to Special Commissioner Rani, there are already tents set up by the government. In these tents water and buttermilk are being distributed for free.

What caused this intense heatwave? They are a result of global climate change and the abnormal temperatures are creating a "devastating impact on human health," according to the website of the National Disaster Management Authority in India.

The monsoon season expected this week will hopefully bring rains in the south of the country before heading north gradually, however it could take several more weeks for these rains to provide much needed relief in the north areas, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The monsoon season begins end of May until the end of September, reported The Voice of America. Ironically, parts of India are experiencing prolonged drought conditions. 

Tagsindia heatwave, india heat, New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana