We recently read reports of a heatwave sweeping Britain, with temperatures earlier this month soaring as high as 24 degrees Celsius. Good work Mud Island, but you’re still playing in the minor leagues.

When India is saying there is a heatwave, however, you know that things are serious – so much so that around 1 400 people have already succumbed to the extreme conditions. Gawker reports:

The high temperatures are the result of hot winds blowing in from the west, leading one local news channel to call the phenomenon a “heat bomb” from Pakistan. B. P. Yadav, of the India Meteorological Department, said the winds had made things worse this year, and contributed to delaying much needed rains in the south.

CNN has the official death toll standing at 1 371, with yesterday’s maximum temperature a sweltering 47 degrees. As the country battles the elements, there are some amazing photos emerging from the tragedy, including the one of melted tar below.

The extreme conditions are expected to cool somewhat in the coming days, although temperatures will remain at dangerously high levels for at the least the next week or so.

[sources:cnn&gawker&mashable]