At least 13 die in 40C heat

A gruelling heat wave has claimed at least 13 lives in the past week in eastern India's Orissa state. The death toll was expected to rise, with the Government still verifying reports of more casualties around the state, said Health Minister Bijoyshree Routray.

Temperatures in impoverished Orissa have hovered over 40C for more than a week, according to the state's weather office.

In some towns in the western part of the state, the temperature soared as high as 46.6C.