Covid-19: Are city's night shelters ready for a heat wave?

The heat wave condition continues to burn the national Capital as an orange alert was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Tuesday. The maximum temperature at Palam was recorded at 47.2 degrees Celsius, making it the highest for this season.

The heat wave condition continues to burn the national Capital as an orange alert was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Tuesday. The maximum temperature at Palam was recorded at 47.2 degrees Celsius, making it the highest for this season.

No respite is underway until May 28-29 and severe heat wave might take place in isolated pockets. The India Today TV team visited a night shelter at Sarai Kale Khan to dig deep into the reality of the adversities the homeless people are exposed to. Night shelters are functional under Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) which comes under the Delhi Government.

To start with, there were 21 people inhabiting in the particular night shelter as most of the migrants left for their hometowns. Afzal, the caretaker, told India Today TV, "There is water pump cooler that has been provided, along with an ice box and adequate supply of water. We are also providing biscuit packets to those venturing out for work or those who are leaving for their places, so that they don't suffer heat stroke. We are also provided the PPE kits in case anyone shows the symptoms of coronavirus."

However, the people living in the shelter home appeared moderately satisfied. "The government is trying to do what they can but there are issues which are beyond circumstantial repairs. There is a metal roof which heats up every day and makes it really difficult for us. However, water pump cooler does help out but it becomes really difficult when the Sun comes up."