The government confirmed that ______ people were killed in the recent heat wave in Orissa.

Dozens of people were feared dead in a heat wave in Orissa, India, an official said on Tuesday, at the start of the harsh summer in which temperatures hit around 50 degrees Celsius.
   The government official confirmed seven heat wave deaths in Orissa and said the government was investigating at least 71 more cases. Details were unclear, but officials say deaths are normally caused by dehydration and sunstroke.
   High  temperatures are hitting most of India, including the capital, New Delhi, but no deaths have yet been reported.
   In the summer of 2003, more than 1,400 people--most of them homeless, beggars or street hawkers-- died in the worst heat wave to hit large parts of India in several years.