Death toll rises as heat wave grips Northern India

A woman wipes the head of her brother to keep him cool from the heat wave at the district hospital in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh state, India, June 19, 2023. [AP Photo]

A scorching heat wave in two of India's most populous states has overwhelmed hospitals, filled a morgue to capacity and disrupted power, prompting staff to use books to cool patients, as officials investigate a death toll that has reached nearly 170.

In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, 119 people have died from heat-related illnesses over the last several days while neighboring Bihar state reported 47 fatalities, according to local news reports and health officials.