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Center for Holistic Development on homeless people says deaths occurred between June 11 and 19.
NEW DELHI
At least 192 homeless people died in nine days due to extreme heat in Delhi, India, a report by a non-profit organization said on Thursday.
The report by Center for Holistic Development said the deaths occurred between June 11 and 19. This is the highest number of deaths recorded in the said period.
Sunil Kumar Aledia, head of the NGO, said this alarming statistic indicates that effective measures should be taken as soon as possible for the homeless, the most vulnerable group of the society.
Aledia added that air pollution, rapid industrialization, urbanization and deforestation increase temperatures, worsening the conditions. He called on the government to initiate a summer action plan at the state and district level.
Delhi has been reeling under a heat wave, with daily temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius (104F) since May, peaking at nearly 50C. Humidity and hot winds aggravate the heat, compounded by water shortages and power outages.
As the national capital swelters under severe heat conditions, the past 48 hours have seen 14 fatalities, with an additional 380 people admitted to government hospitals. Of these, 112 have been discharged, while 118 continue to receive medical care.
Across the border in Noida, the toll continues to rise, with more than 14 deaths reported in the last 24 hours due to suspected heat strokes, as confirmed by the health department.
Sunil Kumar Aledia, executive director of the NGO Centre for Holistic Development, told India Today, “In a harrowing span from June 11 to 19, Delhi recorded the death of 192 homeless people, due to extreme heatwave conditions. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to protect one of society’s most vulnerable groups.”
The study further revealed that homeless people constitute 80 per cent of unclaimed bodies during heatwaves. Aledia pointed to factors such as air pollution, rapid urbanisation, and deforestation exacerbating the city’s soaring temperatures.
Critical challenges like access to clean drinking water intensify the risk of dehydration and related health complications among the homeless population.
“Despite the critical situation, homeless individuals frequently find themselves excluded from government welfare programs such as the Deen Dayal National Urban Livelihood Mission [NULM-SUH] and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana [PMAY], primarily due to the lack of identification documents and a permanent address,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.
“The absence of intermediary housing options or financial assistance leaves many with no choice but to live on the streets,” Aledia said.
He further stressed the necessity for immediate measures such as establishing cooling centres, expanding shelter capacity, water distribution, and tackling the root causes of homelessness through supportive housing initiatives and comprehensive services.
The relentless
heatwave sweeping across northern and eastern India has claimed at least 110 lives and left over 40,000 people battling suspected heat stroke from March 1 to June 18 this year, according to Health Ministry sources.
Uttar Pradesh has recorded the highest toll with 36 deaths, followed by Bihar, Rajasthan, and Odisha, according to the data compiled under the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“These numbers may not be final as data from states continues to come in, indicating the toll could rise,” cautioned an official source.
On June 18 alone, six fatalities were attributed to severe heatstroke.
The prolonged heatwave has prompted the Centre to issue advisories to hospitals, urging them to establish dedicated units for heat-related illnesses. Union Health Minister JP Nadda has instructed all central government hospitals to set up special heatwave units to ensure prompt care for affected individuals.
Reviewing the national situation, Nadda emphasised the importance of hospital readiness in delivering optimal healthcare to those affected by the intense heat.
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