Scores die in northern India as heat

wave scorches region

(Reuters) - At least 54 people died in a district in the northern Indian state of
Uttar Pradesh over the last few days, the Times of India newspaper reported
on Monday, as authorities probed if the loss of lives was due to the heat wave
in the region.

Another 45 people died in neighbouring Bihar state, local newspapers

reported.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert warning last
week for extreme heat in some regions of the country, including Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar.

The government said it was investigating the cause of the deaths that
occurred over three days last week in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, about
970 km (600 miles) southeast of New Delhi.

"Deaths have occurred in the district but it is very difficult to say if that
happened due to the heat wave," said Ravindra Kumar, the top administrative
official of the district, told Reuters, without confirming the number of deaths.

"A few of the deaths are related to old age, while some have different
reasons. There is no concrete evidence of heat wave behind these deaths."

The government fired Diwakar Singh, the chief medical official at the main
state hospital in Ballia, for saying that the deaths were due to heat.

The state's deputy chief minister, Brajesh Pathak, said on social media that
Singh had been removed from his position for making an "irresponsible
statement".
Temperatures have soared close to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees
Fahrenheit) in recent days in Ballia with a severe power crisis compounding
the situation.

In Bihar, 45 people lost their lives due to heat-related illnesses, the Hindustan
Times newspaper reported. Officials in Patna, the capital of Bihar, did not
answer phone calls.

While the heat wave was expected to continue in some regions on Monday,
parts of India's northeastern Assam state reeled under floods triggered by
heavy rains.

"Rainfall intensity in Assam and other northeastern states is likely to rise this
week. Many pockets are expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy
rainfall this week, which could lead to flooding," said a senior official with
the IMD.