Thu Apr 10 19:23:12 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Heatwave: City Swelters as Heat Action Plan Remains Unreleased
**NEW DELHI, April 11, 2025** – Delhi is grappling with a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, while the city’s heat action plan remains unreleased. The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert from April 9th to 11th, as the city recorded its first heatwave of the season on Monday, reaching a high of 40.2°C.
Although the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) stated last year that a new heat action plan would be ready before summer, officials now say it will be released soon, with only minor changes from last year’s plan. The government claims to be working closely with the National Disaster Management Authority and has developed ward-level plans with expert input. However, advisories to relevant departments have only been issued following recent meetings.
Experts criticize the lack of long-term strategies to combat heatwaves. A recent study by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC) found that all nine Indian cities studied, including Delhi, focus primarily on immediate responses, rather than long-term solutions. The study also highlights the need for better data collection on heat-related deaths to inform future planning.
Concerns remain regarding worker safety. Labor unions report that last year’s heat action plan guidelines for worker protection were largely ignored. Construction workers continue to live in inadequate, heat-trapping accommodations, even in areas close to Parliament. This raises serious concerns about the welfare of workers across the city during this extreme heat.
First Piper 