New Delhi, May 28 (RHC)-- The severe heatwave sweeping across various parts of India has now claimed the lives of more than 1,100 people in less than two weeks, officials say. A government statement on Wednesday confirmed that more than 852 people have died from the stifling heat in the worst-hit southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh since May 13th.

Bhambal Ram Meena, a top official in the disaster management department, said another 266 have died in the neighboring state of Telangana from heat-related causes. Dozens more casualties have been reported in the capital Delhi and the eastern states of West Bengal and Odissa.

Meanwhile, B.P. Yadav, the director of the India Meteorological Department, said the northern states of Rajasthan and Haryana are also reeling from the intense summer. Weather officials say the sweltering temperatures are likely to continue for at least another week.

Public announcements have urged people avoid going outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. Day temperatures in some of these regions were recorded close to 48 degrees Celsius over the past several days.