India's death toll from one of the world's deadliest heatwaves has climbed to more than 2200.

The southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana saw the most deaths after temperatures in the past week soared to their highest sustained levels in 12 years.

A girl cools off herself in the waters of the river Ganges in Allahabad, India. Credit:JITENDRA PRAKASH

The total toll in both states stood at 2177, after about 200 more deaths were reported between Friday and Saturday, officials said. Andhra Pradesh recorded a total of 1636 deaths while Telangana accounted for 541.

More than 60 deaths were reported from Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states, as well as the national capital, New Delhi, local reports said.