“Consistent exposure to such high temperatures can cause major health issues,” says Nibedita, adding that sometimes, moving just a few feet can help. “We got instant relief. That’s the difference just one tree can make.”
Dr A Fathahudeen, a pulmonologist, says that the core human body temperature is 37C and prolonged exposure to high heat can make it rise.
“When it exceeds 40C, the body ceases to work normally. The most common symptom is heat exhaustion. People become extremely sweaty, complain of headaches and fatigue,” he said, adding that in more serious cases, people can become confused and dazed and even have seizures.
“If not treated urgently, they can have multiple organ failures, leading to death,” he said.
To stay safe during a heatwave, Dr Fathahudeen’s advice to people is to keep drinking water even when not thirsty, wear loose, light-coloured clothing and use an umbrella.
The government, he said, must also issue an advisory for labourers to not work outdoors between 10:30am and 3pm.
But that’s not a luxury Delhi’s poor have.
We expected few people to be out and about when we headed to city landmark Red Fort in Old Delhi to meet street vendors.
The heat was unrelenting, but there were some shoppers, pilgrims and tourists around – and the vendors said they’d set up shops in the hope of finding some customers.
“What choice do poor people like us have?” asked Sanjana Ben who sells dry fruits from the pavement. She sat on the ground on a thin cushion fashioned from some clothes, with small sacks of cashews, almonds, raisins, walnuts and dried figs placed in front.
The thermal camera recorded temperatures just about 40C on her face – but as it moved closer to the ground, it read 51.4C, climbing to 57C just a few inches away.
“At times my head spins and my vision blurs. When the ground feels very hot, I stand up for a bit. But how long can I do that, so I sit down again,” Sanjana Ben told the BBC.
