Boys jump into the Gomti river in the northern Indian city of Lucknow to escape the heat on Friday. (Pawan Kumar/Reuters)

At least 24 people are dead in India as a scorching heat wave swept over half a dozen northern states, officials in Lucknow said on Friday.

Bundelkhand district in northern Uttar Pradesh state — where at least five died from heat stroke — recorded the highest temperature this week of 49 C.

Four people died in eastern Orissa state from the heat and another 39 deaths are being investigated.

In northern Bihar state, at least 15 people have died in 10 days of intense heat. The soaring temperatures have resulted in water shortages and power outages in the north and central parts of the country, prompting protests by residents.

The sweltering heat was expected to continue for at least two more days, the meteorological department said.

With files from The Associated Press