The heat has certainly been affecting humans, especially in North India and at least 54 people have lost their lives so far due to the continued heatwave conditions in several parts of the country.

Worst affected places such as Delhi, Punjab, and Odisha have been logging maximum temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius over the last few days.

Twelve people died of suspected heatstroke in Odisha's Sundargarh during the past 24 hours amid sweltering heat, news agency IANS reported.

According to PTI, four people, including a woman, were killed due to heatwave-related symptoms in Jharkhand's Palamu district, which recorded the state's highest maximum temperature at 47.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday. In Bihar, sunstroke killed eight on Thursday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said the heatwave conditions are likely to abate from tomorrow.

The high court in sun-baked Rajasthan has urged the government to declare a national emergency over the country's ongoing heatwave. The High Court said authorities had failed to take appropriate steps to protect the public from the heat, reported news agency AFP.