New Delhi, May 20 -- Extreme heat has brought daily life in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district almost to a halt by 10 AM each day, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

In Attara town, jeweller Lakhan Gupta now begins work at 6 AM so he can complete most of his tasks before temperatures become unbearable. By 9 AM, he returns home, and within another hour, the streets outside fall deserted. Although his shop shutters remain open through the day, customers generally avoid stepping out until evening, the report said.

"After 10 AM, Banda becomes deserted. At first, you see one or two people outside. Then, as the day rises, there is only silence," Gupta says.

On 27 April this year, Banda recorded 47.6degC, the highest temperature in the cou...