India records its hottest temperature ever at 123.8 F

NEW DELHI, May 20 (UPI) -- The small town of Phalodi, India, recorded a temperature of 123.8 F (51 C), the country's highest temperature in recorded history.

The heat wave in the town of 45,000, located in the northern state of Rajasthan, exceeds the 1956 record of 123.1 F in Alwar, Rajasthan. While the weeks leading up to India's monsoon season are typically hot, temperatures this high are not usual. In the last four years, 4,204 people have died as a result of heat waves.

The India Meteorological Department issued a heat wave watch for much of the area. Meteorologists said there will not be relief for several days.

"The (heat) intensity is likely to reduce thereafter and gradually abate during May 27 to 31. The maximum day and minimum night temperatures are likely to remain markedly above normal over entire northwest, west and central India during May 17 to 27. They are likely to fall to their respective normal or below normal values between May 27 and June 1," meteorologists said.

Murari Lal Thanvi, a local resident, told the BBC he struggled to stay outdoors on Friday.

"Even my mobile phone gave up and stopped working when I was trying to take pictures today," he said."I was able to switch my mobile phone on after putting a wet cloth on it for about 20-25 minutes."