02/07/2025
🧠 The Heat is On—and It's Hurting Us.
Delhi NCR is experiencing one of its worst heatwaves in recent memory. With temperatures crossing 48°C in some parts of the capital, this isn’t just “summer”—it’s a public health crisis in real time.
You’ve likely felt it: the burning pavements, the suffocating air, the unrelenting glare of the sun even at 5 PM. But what many don’t realise is that this heat doesn’t just exhaust us—it endangers lives, especially those of the vulnerable.
🔍 According to the Lancet Countdown on Climate and Health, South Asia is among the most at-risk regions globally for heat-related deaths. And India is already feeling the impact. Hospitals in Delhi have reported a 20% rise in heat-related cases in the past two weeks. Construction workers, delivery agents, traffic cops, the elderly, and young children are being affected first—and worst.
Heat illness comes in stages. What begins as thirst or dizziness can quickly escalate to heat exhaustion, and in severe cases, heatstroke, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. Symptoms like confusion, high fever, dry skin, or fainting are red flags.
Yet, this crisis is largely preventable.
💡 Small steps like drinking water frequently (even when you’re not thirsty), staying indoors during peak heat hours, eating hydrating foods like cucumber or watermelon, and checking in on elderly neighbours or outdoor workers can make a massive difference.
But we also need systemic change.
Why doesn’t Delhi have a robust Heat Action Plan, when cities like Ahmedabad have reduced heat-related deaths by 30% since 2013? Why are labourers still working at 2 PM in full sun? And why are cooling shelters missing from most districts?
🛑 Climate change isn’t coming. It’s here. And heatwaves like this are not a fluke—they’re the new normal unless we act. Protecting ourselves and others from heat isn’t just summer advice—it’s a public health mandate.
This post is your guide to staying safe, helping others, and demanding better.
📲 Save this. Share it. Be the reason someone stays safe this week.
🌿 Stay cool. Stay aware. Stay human.
– Centre for Health