After enduring the blazing heat all day, people return home hoping for some relief at night. But for thousands of families living in Delhi’s JJ clusters and informal settlements, the nights are just as unbearable.
A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) shows that Delhi has entered a phase where the duration of hot weather is steadily increasing. Both average maximum and minimum temperatures have risen significantly, meaning the heat absorbed by the city during the day is no longer dissipating as quickly after sunset. The city’s nighttime cooling capacity has declined by nearly 9 percent.
The problem is even more severe in JJ clusters and slum settlements. Small, cramped rooms, thin walls, tin or temporary roofs, and narrow lanes trap heat long after sunset.
In a one-room home in New Seemapuri, we recorded wall temperatures of 37–38°C, while indoor humidity levels ranged between 58 and 60 percent. In such conditions, getting a good night’s sleep becomes nearly impossible.
“It’s extremely hot. Even the cooler doesn’t work properly. When I switch on the fan, it blows hot air. The walls heat up too. The heat remains until 3 or 4 in the morning. Only then does the air begin to feel slightly cooler,” says Sanwar, a resident of New Seemapuri.
Tasli Bibi, another resident, says, “When the heat becomes unbearable, I soak my dupatta in water and place it over my body before going to sleep.”
Experts say that if heatwaves are officially notified as a disaster by the government, it could make it easier to access dedicated funds and relief measures. However, Delhi has not yet classified heatwaves as a disaster.
Watch our special report.
Small teams can do great things. All it takes is a subscription. Subscribe now and power Newslaundry’s work.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
