A city in western India has set a new heat record for the country - a scorching 51C (123.8 Fahrenheit).

The record, set on Thursday in the city of Phalodi, in the western state of Rajasthan, comes amid a heatwave in India.

India's meteorological department said the previous high was 50.6C (123 F), reached in 1956 in the city of Alwar, also in Rajasthan.

Authorities have issued a severe heatwave alert for the next two days in the western states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and parts of the central state of Madhya Pradesh. That means the areas can expect temperatures as high as 47C (116.6 Fahrenheit) or more.