However, officials denied television reports that more than a 100 people have died in the scorching weather that has in particular affected the western parts of the state.

"We are taking all possible measures, on a war footing to save lives from heat strokes. The measures include roadside trauma centres, water booths and awareness campaigns," Orissa's revenue minister Manmohan Samal told AFP.

The heat wave has been made worse by power cuts across the state.

Soaring heat has affected most of India, but no deaths have been reported from other regions.