Heatwave empties roads and markets in India and farmers switch to night working

The extreme heat has disrupted daily life across several northern states (Manish Swarup/AP)

A heatwave has gripped large parts of India with roads and markets emptying during afternoons and some farmers switching to night-time work to avoid scorching temperatures.

The India Meteorological Department forecast maximum temperatures on Thursday of around 45C in the capital, New Delhi, where authorities have opened temporary “cooling zones” to help people cope.