"At the Taj Mahal you only have a big crowd in the evenings. In the afternoon the number has gone down drastically and people scamper around for shade under the trees," said photographer Vishal.

 Even at the Agra Fort the heat wave has begun to take a toll. The hotels are now offering off-season discount.

 District authorities have been requested by Parents bodies to close down schools.

The district court now functions from early morning till 12 noon. "The dust level has gone up as westerlies, the "loos" have begun to affect life, with many people hit by the heat wave.

One person died Monday afternoon at the Shamshabad bazar, hit by the loo. Relatives said he died instantly and could not be taken to the hospital, falling on the ground in front of a public park.

Weather office said there was no hope of any early relief from the heat wave.

Meanwhile, water shortage in many parts of the city and power breakdown brought people on the streets. Janhit Vikas samiti members staged a dharna outside the offices of Jal Nigam at Jeoni Mandi.