The impact of climate change on Delhi
Climate change has had a severe impact on my local community in Delhi, the capital city of India. Heat waves have become increasingly intense and difficult to endure. Traditionally, summer temperatures during the months of May and June ranged between 38–40°C. However, due to climate change, maximum temperatures now frequently rise to 43–45°C.
Delhi is home to a large population of migrant workers who move from rural areas to the city in search of employment. Many of these workers are economically disadvantaged and lack access to basic cooling facilities in their homes. As a result, recurring heat waves leave them highly vulnerable to extreme heat exposure. A significant number of them work as construction laborers, rickshaw pullers, and domestic workers, occupations that require prolonged outdoor activity. They are forced to spend long hours in harsh heat, and upon returning home, they have limited or no means to cool themselves, placing them under severe heat stress.
The situation is further aggravated by rising night-time temperatures. During summer months, night temperatures often approach 30°C, which prevents the body from recovering from daytime heat exposure. This prolonged heat exposure significantly increases health risks. The problem is compounded by the fact that many of these workers live in densely populated slums, where overcrowding and poor ventilation intensify the effects of extreme heat.
To address these challenges, the Delhi government has introduced a Heat Action Plan. This plan outlines both short-term and long-term strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat. Short-term measures include adjusting working hours for laborers and outdoor workers to reduce heat exposure, while long-term initiatives focus on increasing the city’s green cover to combat the urban heat island effect.