Sun May 04 20:22:56 UTC 2025: ## Delhi’s Heatwave Highlights Vulnerability of Urban Poor
**New Delhi, May 5, 2025** – Delhi’s soaring temperatures are disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, according to the city’s new heat action plan. The plan, released by the BJP government in April, identifies ten hotspots where children, the elderly, women, construction workers, and those from economically weaker sections face the most severe risks.
Construction worker Jasoda, 50, who works at one such hotspot, Prem Bari bridge, described the harsh conditions, stating that while water is provided, the lack of shade and long working hours (9 am to 6:30 pm) leave workers exhausted. She noted that summers have intensified over the past three decades.
Raju Pal, 47, an insurance worker in Jahangirpuri, attributed the extreme heat to unchecked urbanization and lack of green spaces. The heat action plan supports this, highlighting that urban areas with less vegetation and increased impervious surfaces trap more heat.
In Khayala, another designated hotspot, Rajendri, 50, who runs a shoe repair shop, struggles with frequent power cuts and the inability to afford air conditioning, adding to the health risks faced by her elderly mother.
The plan emphasizes that the elderly are particularly vulnerable due to reduced cardiovascular efficiency. The ongoing challenges underscore the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies to protect Delhi’s most vulnerable citizens from the increasingly harsh summer conditions.
First Piper 