The combined effects of extreme heat and humidity exacerbate health risks, making it critical for policymakers to take urgent action before it’s too late
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The oppressive heat of summer has turned life into a daily battle for the residents of the scores of slums in the national capital. With temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius, families are grappling with unbearable conditions in their cramped, poorly ventilated homes.
During a recent visit to the Nandlal slum in North Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar neighbourhood, Clarion India met seven-month-pregnant Sahana who shares a tiny room with her husband and their two-year-old son. “What can we do to escape the heat?” she lamented. “We can’t afford a cooler, and even our exhaust fan doesn’t work anymore.” Many families, like hers, find temporary relief under trees or in doorways when the heat becomes too intense indoors.
In the same slum, Usha, a domestic worker, lives in a basement room in a dim alley. Wiping sweat from her brows, she said humidity was unbearable. “We bathe at least three or four times a night. I’ve got rashes all over my body.” The lack of light and airflow in her home intensifies the stifling heat, leaving her and her family struggling to survive.
The summer of 2024 has been particularly harsh, with over 275 reported deaths due to heat-related illnesses, according to media reports. Experts believe the true toll could be much higher, especially among slum dwellers living in informal settlements lacking proper infrastructure.
Kamala Devi, Usha’s neighbour, said many residents choose to sleep on rooftops or outdoors to escape the unbearable heat. “We can only get some rest in the early morning when it cools down slightly, but by then it’s time to go to work,” she said. The combination of high temperatures and humidity poses serious health risks, exacerbating conditions like dehydration and heat strokes.
During a visit to other settlements like Taimur Nagar, Clarion India learned about the worsening conditions caused by rapid urbanisation. A 2019 study published in Science of the Total Environment indicated that heat stress in low-income urban areas is significantly increased by inadequate ventilation and a lack of greenery.
The Delhi Heat Action Plan 2024-25 aims to address these challenges, but many experts argue it falls short for slum residents. Chandra Bhushan, president of the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), insists that the plan overlooks humidity’s effects. “The Meteorological Department measures heatwaves based on dry bulb temperature, ignoring the combined effects of heat and humidity,” he explained.
Despite the harsh realities, some urban researchers advocate for the regularisation of informal settlements as a potential solution. Arvind Unni, an urban activist, believes that formalising slums would enhance access to essential services like water and electricity. “Regularisation offers security and increases the value of housing,” he explained.
Until such measures are fully implemented, residents like Usha, Sahana, and Kamala will continue to endure the deadly consequences of extreme heat. With global temperatures on the rise, slum dwellers in cities like Delhi are among the most vulnerable. The combined effects of extreme heat and humidity exacerbate health risks, making it critical for policymakers to take urgent action before it’s too late.
