Delhi residents have been battling a severe heatwave for the last two weeks and have become shocked. The situation must be examined as an error or local factors could have caused it.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the maximum temperature in Delhi varies from 45.2° to 49.1°C in different parts of the city. It examined the data and sensors at the Mungeshpur station after a considerable variation in temperatures was recorded there compared to others.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also said officials would investigate the readings, and a raft of other stations around the capital recorded more consistent temperatures of close to 50.
It is not official yet, but the IMD warned of the heat’s impact on health, especially for children, older adults, and those with chronic diseases, while asking to verify the news report. According to alerts, there are chances of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages, and in this regard, extreme care is needed, especially for vulnerable people.
City authorities have informed the public of the risk of water shortages as the capital swelters. Atishi Marlena said it is everyone’s collective responsibility to stop wasteful water use.
While discussing the problem of water scarcity, we have taken small steps to reduce water supply from twice a day to once a day in many areas, reported an Atishi Indian reporter. The saved water will be supplied to water-deficient regions where the water supply lasts only 15 to 20 minutes a day.
The heatwave is increasing daily, but even so, residents were shocked by the conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday. People told them they could not even touch the steering wheel of a car as its heat harms them, and tap water was coming out at boiling temperatures. And having a shower nowadays is a waste of time, said Aruna Verma, a chemistry teacher.
Newspapers have published many remedies to avoid this heat based on doctors’ advice. People like to stay indoors and wear light, loose cotton clothes because following doctors’ advice is impossible for the workforce, including laborers and market stall sellers.
Due to this alarming situation, most construction workers have stopped working between noon and 4pm. The metal rods I’m working with are too hot to touch, as they emit burning rays, and the heat from the sparks makes it even worse, which can cause health problems, said Babu Ram, a welder working on a block of flats in New Friends Colony.
What’s the choice? No one will take the responsibility of feeding my children unless I take some money home, will they? Work is work, which we have to do to fill our hunger, and it has to be done, he said. The sun’s burning rays destroy the vegetables, so I buy less than usual because they will rot if I don’t sell them.
