Delhi recently recorded one of its highest temperatures this summer, sizzling at 44.9°C as recorded by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the official watchdog of weather conditions in India.
A few weeks back, it was wrongly reported that the mercury had reached a scorching 52.3°C in the capital, a recording that was later debunked. However, this doesn't take away from the brutal nature of the heatwave soaring in Delhi, leaving people on the road grappling for chilled water, makeshift shades and head covers, and electrolytes like ORS.
According to IMD, northern India will not get a respite from these hot weather conditions at least for now.
While many of us are complaining about these extreme weather conditions, it is time to recognise our privilege. If you have access to air conditioners, travel in cars and public transport, work in well-ventilated offices with ACs or centralised cooling, or can afford to stay indoors during the peak hot hours of the afternoon, trust me, you are privileged.
As for street vendors, homeless people, delivery persons, and countless residents of Delhi who can not indulge in any of these comforts, they are the real victims of the heatwave. To understand their situation and highlight their struggles, the Onlymyhealth team interviewed people on the ground as a part of their OMHHyperLocal campaign that aims to understand the health realities at the grassroots.
Heatwave Tearing Down People’s Health On Ground
Heatwave is not something to be taken lightly. According to online reports, 60 people have died in India from March to May. No official authoritative body has linked itself with these statistics yet.
“We can not avoid staying out in the sun at all. It's a matter of working. If you have to work, which we can not stop, there's no way to avoid the sun,” said the street parking in charge working 17-hour shifts all seven days a week.
“My hands and feet have been burned due to the intense heat. I have to keep water in an ice box and that also stops working even before noon begins,” he continued.
Also Read: Delhi Reports First Heat Stroke Casualty: Here Are Its Symptoms, Consequences, and Treatment
The World Health Organisation stated in May 2024 that the ‘people exposed to extreme heat have been growing exponentially’ across the world. As per their report, 4,89,000 people die due to heatwave every year globally.
Highlighting the plight of the workers who can not afford to not work out in the sun, a female street vendor said, “It is so hot that I don't feel like standing here. It makes a huge difference to health. I don't feel like doing any work. I am not able to concentrate that much. We are all poor people, what should we do now?”
She added, “I am getting tired, I have to wear a cloth on my head. No people are coming to the shop. What can we do? It's our compulsion because it is a question of keeping our and our family's stomachs full. There is no one to give me support.”
Also Read: #OMHHyperLocal: Mitigating The Impact Of Heavy Metals Found In Vegetables Sold In Delhi Markets
A corporate employee drinking lassi at a street shop said, “We can't go out anywhere. And in this heat, there is also the problem of power cuts. We have a small child at home. So much so that even when the fan is running it feels like I am being blown by scorching hot air. If you are earning enough to afford an AC in a city like Delhi, then it is fine. Otherwise, it is becoming very difficult to survive in this heat here these days.”
“The heat is getting so intense, my condition has been bad for the last two days. I am feeling nauseous and dizzy. My health is deteriorating throughout the day due to the heat. We cannot take leave because if we sit at home what will we eat? It is a compulsion, whether it is sunshine or heat, I have to work,” said a man working at an automobile repair shop.
Heatwave Health Effects And Ways To Mitigate The Impact
All of us need to take heatwaves seriously. This is an outcry not just for you the reader, but also those around you, especially the ones suffering the worst at the hands of the brutal scorching weather. The delivery boys bring food to your doorstep, the street vendors, your house help who may be going back to a house which doesn't even have a basic cooler, and countless others. They can benefit from your awareness.
Not only can you help them deal with health risks of heatstroke but educate and empower them to look after their own and their family’s health.
Talking to the Onlymyhealth team, Dr Tushau Prasad, Emergency Physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road spoke about the impact of extreme heat on our health and tips to avoid dire circumstances of a heatwave.
How Does Severe Heat Wave Harm Our Heart?
“When it's extremely hot outside, our body works harder to cool down, which causes the heart rate to increase and blood flow to the skin,” answered Dr Prasad.
He continued, “This puts extra stress on the heart, which can be dangerous, especially for people with existing heart conditions.”
Long-term Health Consequences of Heatwave
According to Dr Prasad, chronic exposure to extremely hot weather can cause:
- Persistent dehydration reduces the blood volume which forces the heart to work harder and can damage vital organs
- The strain on the cardiovascular system
- Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which are medical emergencies
“Over time, this can exacerbate cardiovascular diseases and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes,” he said.
Also Read: How Heatwaves Can Affect Your Appetite and Foods to Build it Back
How To Protect Your Health From Heatwave?
To protect your health from heatwave, Dr Prasad listed some tips:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Use fans or air conditioning to keep cool.
- Take breaks in the shade or indoors if you need to be outside.
- Regularly monitor your heart and consult your doctor for personalised advice.
Talking about people who are regularly out in the sun, Dr Prasad listed some countermeasures you can take:
- Focus on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which help with hydration.
- Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
- Take regular breaks to cool down and rehydrate.
- Wear cooling vests
- Use portable fans
Onlymyhealth’s on-ground report highlights just how dire the situation is on the ground, especially for people lacking the privilege to safeguard themselves from the worst that heatwave has to offer. They have no option but to accept and adjust to these prevailing extremely hot conditions. We as a society need to be aware of this reality so we can protect our health and those around us. So stay safe, stay cool, and keep exercising measures to protect yourself from this heatwave.