Hyderabad: More than 1000 people are now believed to have died in a major heatwave across India, that has seen roads melt in New Delhi and temperatures near 50 degrees.

With no end in sight to the searing conditions, and officials warning the scorching temperatures would continue for several more days, hospitals are on alert to treat victims of heatstroke and authorities are advising people to stay indoors.

In the worst-hit state of Andhra Pradesh, in the south, 551 people have died in the past seven days as temperatures hit 47 degrees on Monday.

"The state government has taken up education programmes through television and other media to tell people not to venture into the outside without a cap, to drink water and other measures," said P. Tulsi Rani, special commissioner for disaster management in the state.