New Delhi, India — A severe heatwave in Delhi has tragically resulted in the deaths of 192 homeless individuals in just over a week, intensifying concerns over the vulnerability of this population amid surging temperatures. The Centre for Holistic Development, a local NGO, reported these figures, underscoring a crisis exacerbated by a lack of basic amenities and insufficient governmental support for the city’s underprivileged residents.
Since June 11, Delhi has experienced temperatures consistently above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), conditions that have proved perilous particularly for those living without shelter. The city has been gripped by an oppressive heat that has challenged the endurance of its residents, with the homeless bearing the brhest of the impact.
In response to this alarming death toll, police noted that in the past 48 hours alone, 50 people from marginalized communities were found deceased. Although not all these deaths have been officially linked to the heat, the timing and conditions suggest a strong correlation, highlighting an urgent health crisis.
Hospitals across the city, including the prominent Safdarjung Hospital, have reported a spike in fatalities and admissions due to heat-related complications. Within a single 24-hour period, 13 people succumbed to heatstrokes and related illnesses, pressuring an already strained healthcare system.
Sunil Kumar Aledia, Executive Director of the Centre for Holistic Development, voiced deep concerns over the dire situation. “This crisis has unfolded rapidly between June 11 and June 19, claiming the lives of 192 homeless people,” Aledia stated. He emphasized the critical need for immediate action to aid those most at risk, calling on both government and civil society to respond effectively.
Aledia pointed to environmental issues such as air pollution, unchecked urbanization, and deforestation as contributing factors that exacerbate the heat levels in urban areas. He stressed that the homeless suffer disproportionately from the lack of access to clean drinking water, which significantly raises the danger of dehydration.
“The absence from key government welfare programs, including the Deen Dayal National Urban Livelihood Mission and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, exacerbates the vulnerability of the homeless. This exclusion is largely due to their lack of identification documents and a permanent address,” Aledia explained. He urged the establishment of more inclusive policies that recognize the needs of all city residents, especially the most vulnerable.
To combat the immediate threats posed by the heatwave, Aledia proposed several practical measures: the creation of cooling centers, an increase in the capacity of shelters, and a systematic distribution of water. He also advocated for longer-term solutions addressing the root causes of homelessness with programs that provide supportive housing and services.
The tragic deaths highlight a broader issue of inadequacy in the city’s infrastructure to protect its most vulnerable during periods of extreme weather. With climate change expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, experts are calling for a comprehensive and proactive approach to urban planning and humanitarian assistance.
The situation in Delhi serves as a stark reminder of the deadly impact of extreme weather conditions and the urgent need for preparedness and resilience in urban populations, particularly for those living on the margins of society.