Life under a Delhi flyover: how one homeless family endures the city’s extreme heat

Shahida has just finished sweeping the pavement where her family are now preparing to sleep Photograph: Elke Scholiers/The Guardian

Delhi is sweltering through another summer of extreme heat, with top daytime readings consistently reaching 43C and even minimum temperatures hovering around 32.4C (90.3F).

Last week the city endured its warmest May night in 14 years. As government heat alerts follow one after another and people retreat indoors, more than 300,000 individuals living on the city’s streets remain out in the punishing heat.