One tree makes difference between 64 and 40 degrees: People barely survive on streets amid Delhi heatwave

Delhi's streets are becoming unbearable as an intense heatwave grips the Indian capital, pushing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius for weeks. While official readings hover around 43 degrees, the reality on the ground is far more severe. Scorching asphalt and overheated buildings create a hostile environment, especially for those without access to air-conditioned spaces.

Journalists and Greenpeace India researchers used thermal cameras to expose the extreme surface temperatures. At a major southern Delhi intersection, asphalt surfaces reached a staggering 64 degrees Celsius. Just meters away, under the shade of a tree, the temperature dropped below 40 degrees, highlighting the critical role of greenery in mitigating the heat's impact.

Doctors are sounding the alarm about the serious health consequences of prolonged exposure to such heat. When body temperature surpasses 40 degrees, normal bodily functions falter, leading to exhaustion, heavy sweating, headaches, and dizziness. In severe cases, confusion, loss of consciousness, and organ failure can occur. The city's poorest residents, unable to retreat indoors, face the harshest daily struggles.

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Sometimes I get dizzy and my vision blurs. When the ground gets too hot, I stand up for a few minutes, but I can't endure it for long, so I sit down again.

Sanjana Ben, a dry fruit vendor in Old Delhi, shared her ordeal. Thermal cameras registered around 40 degrees on her face and over 51 degrees on the ground where she sits, with temperatures reaching 57 degrees just inches away. "Sometimes I get dizzy and my vision blurs. When the ground gets too hot, I stand up for a few minutes, but I can't endure it for long, so I sit down again," she recounted.

Mohammad Mahfouz Alam, a shoe seller, described the relentless heat. "The heat comes from all sides. The sun beats down from above, and the ground radiates heat from below. I return home completely exhausted in the evening. Even after showering, I can't sleep because the fan only blows hot air," he said. Residents note a significant climate shift in recent years, with increasingly unpredictable seasons. They emphasize the vital importance of green spaces and trees as the only refuge from the oppressive temperatures.

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The heat comes from all sides. The sun beats down from above, and the ground radiates heat from below. I return home completely exhausted in the evening. Even after showering, I can't sleep because the fan only blows hot air.