Sweltering heat spells misery for Delhi's labourers, vendors

NEW DELHI: After a dip in temperature in Delhi last week, the heatwave returned to make citizens sweat on Monday, even though the maximum temperature remained lower than expected at 43 degrees Celsius and humidity was high at 40 per cent.

"An east-west trough is running close to Delhi-NCR, which has been infusing moisture over the region," said an official of the India Meteorological Department.

The severe heatwave and humidity in the Capital has left Delhites reeling and no respite seems to be in sight, as the Met department has predicted continuous high temperature in the days to follow.

Street vendors, hawkers and rickshaw pullers are the worst affected people across the city, with no option but to toil in the sweltering heat to earn their livelihood.

"I am the sole breadwinner of my family and summer months are difficult. Due to the heat I am not able to keep the Ramadan fast. But I've to go on," said Amjad Ali, who sells omelette from a cart.

For small business owners and daily-wage labourers, working hours are erratic, which takes a toll on their health. Fruit and vegetable vendors are have it even more difficult, as these perishables rot more rapidly in such harsh conditions.

"Bananas only last for a day. After that, customers don't buy them. Therefore, I am forced to sell them at a lower price," said 33-year-old Mukesh Pradhan from Bihar, who too endures the difficulty of working in heat like Amjad.

Many people like Pradhan have to be even hospitaled for heatstroke and are given bottles of saline drips.

Cases of heatstroke are common among people like Mukesh, who must brave the sun and stay out.

Near the Delhi Gate, Ahsan Alam and Sunil Kumar have stepped down from a large billboard, after working in the sun for more than an hour.

"We change hoardings and banners and it is a risky job as we are underexposure of sun constantly," said Alam.

"I have suffered violent bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea," adds Sunil quickly.

Last week, Delhi's peak power demand hit a record 6,651 MW, which testifies the harsh climatic conditions in which these vendors and hawkers work.

"My head hurts all the time and I have to work from eight in the morning till my contractor tells me to stop. Diarrhoea is a common problem," said Ravi Kumar, 20, a daily wage labourer who is sitting in the shade to revitalise himself.