Northern and western India are in the grips of a deadly heat wave. Temperature reached a record-high of 51 degrees Celsius in some areas. But some relief is on the way as rain is predicted across the north in the next few days.

New Delhi reached a high of 43 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Heat-stricken people are doing all they can to get out of the scorching sun.

"We had no idea it would be so hot here but now, after visiting, we know how hot it can be. Instead of spending money on food people are spending it to buy water. This year has indeed been very hot," said a tourist named Rajesh Talpade.

At least 150 people across India have died from heat-related causes. But as temperatures soar in some areas, light relief is on the way to others. Weather authorities say the northern states of Punjab, Rajasthan and capital New Delhi can expect rainfall in the next couple of days.

"We are hoping that on May 23 and 24 a Western Disturbance will arrive. Then there will be chances for dust storms and rain, and the temperature will not likely increase. We are hoping that in the next few days, until May 25, temperatures will not change much," said B.P. Yadav, director of India Meteorological Department.

'Western Disturbance' is a phenomenon that occurs across the South Asian nations of India, Pakistan and Nepal. It's an extratropical storm that brings sudden rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

India regularly suffers life-threatening heat waves. Periods of extreme temperatures have led to thousands of deaths since the 1990s.