Rescuers in Gujarat are picking up dozens of exhausted and dehydrated birds every day as a scorching heatwave dries out water sources in the state’s biggest city, veterinarians and animal rescuers have said.

Large swathes of South Asia are drying up in the hottest early summer months in recent years, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to warn of rising fire risks.

Vets at an animal hospital managed by Jivdaya said they had treated thousands of birds in the last few weeks, adding that rescuers were bringing in dozens of high-flying birds such as pigeons or kites every day.

“This year has been one of the worst in recent times. We have seen a 10 per cent increase in the number of birds that need rescuing,” said Manoj Bhavsar, who works closely with the trust.

Health officials in Gujarat have issued advisories to hospitals to set up special wards for heat stroke and other heat-related diseases.