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India is reeling from an intense heat wave with temperatures crossing 45C in many parts of the country, BBC reported.

Churu, in the northern state of Rajasthan, is India's hottest city - temperatures there soared to 50.8C on Sunday, the meteorological department said.

It has put Rajasthan and the central state of Madhya Pradesh on alert for "severe heat wave conditions". Both states often record some of the highest temperatures at the peak of summer.

The unrelenting heat has been hardest on the homeless, as well as those who have no choice but to keep working despite the soaring temperatures - such as street vendors, traffic police and rickshaw drivers.

At least seven Indian cities and towns are on Monday's list of the world's 15 hottest places on weather website El Dorado. The remaining eight are in Pakistan, where Jacobabad - at 51C - is being called the hottest place on Earth.

India's meteorological department has said the heat wave is likely to continue for a few more days as the monsoon is delayed, the source added.