Heat and Pollution Hit Delhi Outdoor Workers Hard on World Health Day
New Delhi — As the world observes World Health Day with the theme “my health, my right,” thousands of outdoor workers in Delhi from auto drivers and rickshaw pullers to fruit sellers and vendors are facing a growing health crisis caused by extreme heat and worsening air pollution.
On Sunday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 38.2°C over 3 degrees higher than the seasonal average. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the coming days, warning that the heatwave will continue until Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index stayed in the ‘poor’ category at 209.
The blazing sun isn’t just uncomfortable it’s dangerous. Santosh Hazra, an auto-rickshaw driver, said, “Skin burns in this heat. There’s plenty of water available, but nowhere to sit and r...