Delhi heatwave: DUSIB seeks water, health check ups at shelter homes

With Delhi grappling with soaring temperatures and its first heatwave of the season, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has reached out to multiple government departments, calling for urgent interventions at shelter homes across the capital.

In an effort to protect vulnerable residents from extreme heat, DUSIB has written to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), urging them to ensure uninterrupted water supply. At the same time, the Health and Welfare Department has been asked to conduct routine medical check-ups, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been requested to step up sanitation, fogging and vector control measures.

According to a DUSIB official, the board has flagged serious concerns raised by Shelter Management Agencies (SMAs) regarding inconsistent water supply at several facilities. “This shortage is particularly alarming during peak summer, as it increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke,” noted the letter sent to the DJB and NDMC.

In its correspondence with the Health and Welfare Department, DUSIB underscored the urgent need to safeguard the health of homeless individuals during the summer months. It urged the department to carry out regular health check-ups, especially focusing on vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Meanwhile, the board has also appealed to the MCD to maintain cleanliness in and around shelter homes, highlighting the importance of regular garbage removal and sanitation drives. “Maintaining hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of infections and ensure a safe living environment,” the letter stated.

DUSIB also called for intensified fogging and anti-larval measures, particularly in high-risk areas, to curb mosquito-borne diseases.

The appeal comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Delhi for the next two days. The capital recorded its first heatwave of the year on Monday, with temperatures soaring to 40.2°C. A yellow alert signals the public to ‘Be Aware’ and recommends precautions such as avoiding heat exposure and wearing lightweight, light-coloured cotton clothing.

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As per IMD criteria, a heatwave is declared when the temperature in the plains reaches at least 40°C or when it is 4.5 to 6.4°C above the normal. Delhi also witnessed a warm Tuesday morning, with the minimum temperature recorded at 22.4°C — 2.2 degrees above the seasonal average.

Typically, Delhi crosses the 40-degree threshold in the latter half of April. However, this year mirrors the pattern seen in 2022, when the season’s first heatwave arrived early on April 8 with a maximum of 41.6°C. By contrast, no heatwave was reported in April 2023 or 2024, though temperatures did reach 40°C on April 15 in 2023 and April 26 in 2024, according to IMD data.

(With inputs from PTI)