Delhi NCR

Delhi Fire Services got over 11,000 calls since April: Data

Published by
Kushan Niyogi

According to data accessed by the Patriot, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received 11,201 calls between April and June 16, with 2,991 calls being made for various emergencies in the month of May alone.

In 2023 the DFS recorded around 6,000 fire-related calls over the same period. On the other hand, in the first quarter from January 1 to May 26, the DFS had recorded 8,912 emergency calls.

The excessive number of calls has been attributed to the rise in temperatures and the prevailing heatwave. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the heatwave is set to continue till June 20. Atul Garg, the DFS chief, said heatwave conditions have started to put additional burden on appliances and cables, which have, in turn, started to buckle under pressure.

Atul Garg

“Wires and appliances get overloaded owing to the prevailing heatwave conditions. This has made them more prone to fire. Moreover, the heavy usage of cooling appliances has also led to the power generators to get overloaded leading to short circuits across the national capital,” he said.

Reportedly, most of the calls are being received from the industrial areas in and around West Delhi, where short circuits and overloads have become the norm within the area’s cramped alleys.

Also Read: Jumbled wires, electrical theft, cramped spaces: How 2 markets in Chandni Chowk were reduced to ashes

Such incidents in the national capital have resulted in the deaths of 55 people and injuries to over 300 over the same period.

Garg also said that earlier in the summer, the number of fire-related calls would not go beyond 160 per day. However, now the number has risen to over 200 daily. On May 30, the DFS received over 220 calls in a single day, making it a record in 10 years.

Kushan Niyogi

Published by
Kushan Niyogi

Recent Posts

Delhi’s air crisis: Experts doubt anti-smog guns’ long-term impact

Authorities have intensified anti-pollution efforts in Delhi with 227 sprinklers and 110 anti-smog guns, aiming…

November 22, 2024

Delhi’s air quality ‘very poor’, minimum temperature 11.3 deg C

Out of 38 monitoring stations in the city, nine reported Air Quality Index (AQI) readings…

November 22, 2024

Delhi’s fight against pollution hit by staff shortage

With 153 vacancies out of a total of 344 sanctioned positions, city’s primary pollution control…

November 22, 2024

Delhi Pollution: Students in slum areas face accessibility challenges as schools go online

Several parents and students raised concerns saying many children are unable to attend classes regularly…

November 21, 2024

A taste of Kashmir: Jhelum food festival brings the Valley to Gurugram

Chef Rahul Wali crafts a culinary journey through Kashmiri Pandit traditions, blending flavours with stories…

November 21, 2024

Delhi Metro gives boost to govt’s push for public transport amid worsening air quality

While the Delhi Metro is running more trips, DTC is facing hurdles in increasing bus…

November 21, 2024