Nighttime Heat Crisis in Delhi: Escalating Temperatures Pose Health Risks Amid Urban Challenges

Nights in Delhi have become increasingly uncomfortable and dangerously hot as India grapples with relentless summer temperatures. Northern India, including the capital, Delhi, has endured scorching conditions, with recent records reaching as high as 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite the sun setting, the city experiences minimal cooling, exacerbating the heat stress.

According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi’s urban areas cool down by only 8.5 degrees Celsius at night, significantly less than the 12.2 degrees observed in the outskirts. This disparity affects residents’ ability to recover from daytime heat exposure, particularly those without access to air conditioning.

For many like Sagar Mandal, a bicycle rickshaw driver, the heat has profoundly impacted livelihoods and well-being. Mandal notes a decrease in passengers opting for his non-air-conditioned rickshaw, highlighting the physical toll of working in such extreme conditions without respite.

The escalating nighttime temperatures are a consequence of the broader climate crisis, posing serious health risks. Studies indicate that higher nighttime temperatures hinder sleep quality and reduce the body’s ability to repair and rejuvenate during rest, compounding the health challenges posed by daytime heat exposure.

In addition to health concerns, the urban heat island effect intensifies the situation in cities like Delhi, where asphalt and concrete absorb and retain more heat than natural landscapes. This exacerbates the strain on resources like electricity and water, already stretched thin during the summer months, further impacting residents’ comfort and health.

The strain on infrastructure is palpable, with power cuts and water shortages disrupting daily life. Kalyani Saha, a resident of Lajpat Nagar, describes unbearable conditions exacerbated by these shortages, noting their detrimental impact on vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

Medical professionals like Dr. Ajay Chauhan from Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohiya Hospital emphasize the urgency of managing heat-related illnesses, which can escalate rapidly without intervention. The hospital has seen a significant influx of patients suffering from heat strokes and related ailments, underscoring the severity of the current conditions.

Furthermore, the plight of the homeless during these extreme temperatures is particularly dire, with reports of numerous deaths and widespread suffering due to sleeplessness and heat-related illnesses. The situation highlights stark inequalities in access to shelter and resources during heat waves.

Delhi’s increasingly hot nights are not just a discomfort but a public health crisis exacerbated by climate change and urbanization. Addressing these challenges requires urgent action to enhance infrastructure resilience, mitigate urban heat islands, and ensure equitable access to cooling resources, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.