Central India

"From April to June, most parts of north and east India, central India and the plains of north-west are expected to experience two-to-four more heatwave days than normal," he added.

Two years later, he joined the Topographical Survey of India and started mapping central India, Rajasthan and the Himalayas.

The heat in northern and central India and parts of the west has been unrelenting for the past two weeks, with maximum temperatures hovering around 45-46C for days at a stretch and even climbing up to 50C in some areas.

Several people have died due to heat-related ailments over the past 24 hours as temperatures continue to soar in northern and central India.

The rebels control large areas of several states in a "red corridor" stretching from north-east to central India.