Delhi Heat Crisis
Delhi has been experiencing severe heat stress in recent years. The year 2025 recorded the hottest February and March on record. Summers have remained scorching with temperatures soaring above 45°C for multiple days. The India Meteorological Department issued several heatwave alerts, signalling an urgent public health and infrastructure challenge. A decade-long study from 2015 to 2024 shows Delhi’s summer temperatures have consistently exceeded normal levels. This prolonged heat impacts health, livelihoods, productivity, and the environment across the city.
Heat Stress Patterns Across Delhi
- More than three-quarters of Delhi faces heat stress during peak summer months.
- Satellite data reveals land surface temperatures above 45°C in many areas repeatedly over the last ten years.
- The south-western parts of Delhi, including Najafgarh, Palam, and Dwarka, are the worst affected.
- Western, north-western, central, southern, and eastern localities also experience high heat stress.
- Major roads and traffic corridors contribute to heat retention due to bitumen surfaces and vehicle emissions.
- Areas with green spaces, water bodies, and ridges serve as natural heat sinks, offering some relief.
Vulnerable Populations and Heat Impact
Certain groups suffer disproportionately from extreme heat. Children, elderly people, women, the poor, homeless, and outdoor workers such as construction labourers and street vendors face higher risks. About 80% of Delhi’s workforce is informal, lacking access to cooling or healthcare facilities. A ward-level vulnerability assessment shows many dense wards with little green cover are hotspots for heat stress. Nearly half the city’s population lives in wards with over 90% area under heat stress. These vulnerable zones require priority in heat action planning.
Short-Term Measures and Their Limits
Delhi and other Indian cities mostly rely on emergency responses during heatwaves. These include providing drinking water, adjusting work hours, and expanding hospital capacity. Such measures are low-cost but insufficient for long-term resilience. Current plans focus on health worker training and monitoring heat-related deaths, but lack urban planning strategies to mitigate heat. Pilot projects on cool roofs have begun but need wider implementation, especially in poor settlements.
Long-Term Urban Planning for Heat Resilience
Building heat resilience demands integrated urban design and planning. Ward-level vulnerability mapping helps target interventions where heat exposure and vulnerable populations coincide. Passive cooling techniques like shading, reflective paints, cool roofs, and ventilation can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 5°C. Increasing green cover, tree planting, and water-sensitive urban design improve microclimates and reduce ambient heat by 3-8°C. Incorporating these solutions into Delhi’s master plan and building regulations is vital for sustainable impact.
Supporting Vulnerable Groups with Infrastructure
Basic services such as safe water, sanitation, healthcare, and shaded resting areas are crucial for vulnerable groups. Community cooling centres and emergency relief kits should be standard during heatwaves. Workplace adaptations like staggered timings and shaded facilities protect outdoor workers. Funding from welfare schemes, climate bonds, and government grants can support retrofitting and green infrastructure projects in vulnerable wards.
Technology and Policy Innovations
New technologies like solar rooftops, evaporative wind towers, and high solar reflective materials offer promising solutions. Public awareness campaigns on heat safety and self-care are essential. Early warning systems and capacity building for emergency services improve preparedness. Integrating climate-responsive design with urban planning policies will help future-proof Delhi against rising temperatures.
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