An unrelenting heatwave scorching northwest India has sparked severe health concerns, with the national capital Delhi emerging as a major hotspot. As temperatures soar above 40°C (104°F), the city’s homeless population appears to be the biggest victim of this record heat surge.
According to the Centre for Holistic Development, a non-governmental organization, a staggering 192 homeless deaths were reported in Delhi during June 11-19 alone. While an official reaction is still awaited, these grim statistics underscore the life-threatening impacts of extreme heat.
The police have recovered the bodies of 50 underprivileged individuals over the past 48 hours, though it is unclear if all these deaths were directly heat-related. However, the NGO claims that homeless people account for a shocking 80% of all unidentified bodies found during this period.
“Heatwaves significantly worsen the already difficult circumstances of homeless people, making them particularly vulnerable to heat-related health issues like heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration due to their lack of access to shelter or cooling facilities,” the organization stated.
The intense heat is also taking a heavy toll on the city’s healthcare system. Safdarjung Hospital reported 13 deaths due to heat-related illnesses in just 24 hours, along with 33 admissions for related symptoms. Similar surges are anticipated from other hospitals in the coming days.
As of Tuesday, three major Delhi hospitals had already recorded 20 heat-related fatalities. The city recorded a minimum overnight temperature of 35.2°C (95.4°F) that day, its warmest night in at least 14 years, offering no respite from the scorching heat.
Heatstroke cases at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital include conditions like heat cramps and exhaustion, according to Dr. Atul Kakar. Alarmingly, the prolonged heatwave is also leading to a spike in lupus cases, an autoimmune disease affecting the skin, joints, and kidneys, particularly among women of childbearing age.
With no signs of relief in sight, urgent measures are needed to safeguard the city’s most vulnerable residents and mitigate the public health crisis unfolding due to this unprecedented heatwave.
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