Severe heat waves have been affecting India significantly since April. The intense weather has forced many essential workers to face difficult choices regarding their safety and income.
Last month, vendors took measures to protect themselves under the unforgiving sun. They set up large umbrellas to shade their kiosks at a flea market near Jama Masjid. This location is a famous mosque in New Delhi.
Sunil Rastogi, an auto-rickshaw driver, exemplifies the struggle faced by many. Usually, he works 12-hour days to provide for his family and save for a necessary heart surgery. With summer temperatures soaring over 100 degrees, he contends with a tough decision: reduce his working hours, earning less and potentially delaying his surgery, or continue working long hours, risking his already fragile health.
Mr. Rastogi remarked last week, “I feel tired as it is. This heat makes me even more tired.”
Countless workers like him, including wage laborers, construction workers, street vendors, and delivery drivers, endure similar hardships in New Delhi. The relentless summer heat often compels them to weigh their health against their financial needs. These workers are essential to the city’s functioning, yet they suffer the most from its extreme conditions.
The ground’s surface temperature can peak at 140 degrees during the hottest days, data from the Center for Science and Environment shows. This level of heat can soften asphalt and cause burns to barefoot workers.
Sunil Rastogi faces a dilemma between prioritizing his health and ensuring a steady income during India’s sweltering summer months.
Cooling down with soft drinks made at a stall in New Delhi provides brief respite.
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