By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
In Delhi's Chanakyapuri slums, residents face a dire lack of fresh water amidst record breaking heat. Temperatures have soared to an unprecedented 49.9 degrees Celsius (121 Fahrenheit), intensifying the crisis for the city's most vulnerable. India's extreme heat is exacerbating the already critical situation.
The relentless sun beats down on tin roofed shanties, as desperate locals await water deliveries. When the water truck finally arrives, chaos ensues. Residents scramble, with some climbing on the truck to secure their share. Many, including mother of six Poonam Shah, often leave empty handed. "Can we all bathe in one bucket of water?" she questions, highlighting the severe shortage her family faces. Poonam's attempts to secure water were thwarted by her work commitments, forcing her to consider purchasing water at significant personal expense.
The Delhi government has been forced to ration water deliveries due to the intense heat. Where there were once multiple deliveries daily, now only one reaches Poonam’s neighborhood. The past week has seen temperatures hover above 40 degrees Celsius, with the Indian Meteorological Department reporting an all time high of 49.9 degrees Celsius in the capital.
The heat has claimed at least one life in Delhi and many more across the nation. Ram Manohar Lohiya (RML) hospital is treating an increasing number of patients with heatstroke, exhaustion, and dehydration. According to Dr. Ajay Shukla, medical superintendent at RML, rapid cooling is critical for survival. However, delayed medical intervention often leads to fatalities, as demonstrated by the death of a 40 year old migrant laborer who succumbed to the heat after working in stifling conditions.
Most heatstroke patients at RML hail from poorer communities who endure long hours in the sun. Kali Prasad, a vendor selling water and lemon juice near India Gate, recounts the unbearable conditions but remains driven by necessity to support his family. He notes a significant drop in customers due to the extreme heat.
The heatwave’s severity is exacerbated by climate change, with temperatures rising earlier and higher each year. Northwest and central India are experiencing extreme temperatures, some areas even surpassing 50 degrees Celsius. Farwa Aamer, director of South Asia initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute, underscores the need for urgent adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts on vulnerable populations.
For many in Delhi, enduring the summer heat is a harsh reality. "We have to deal, we are poor people so we have to die, we have to work no matter how hot it is," says Kali Prasad. The escalating climate crisis leaves Delhi’s poor with no alternatives, struggling to survive amidst worsening conditions.