Hospitals across Delhi-NCR are witnessing a surge in patients suffering from heat stroke and heat exhaustion as the region grapples with an intense heatwave. The Centre has directed hospitals to prioritize admitting and treating heat stroke patients.
Government-run LNJP Hospital reported two deaths due to heat stroke in the past week. "Currently, nine patients are admitted to LNJP Hospital. Four are on ventilator support due to critical conditions and multi-organ failure caused by heatstroke. On June 16, a patient succumbed to heatstroke. Timely treatment is crucial as it can lead to multi-organ failure," said Suresh Kumar, Medical Director of LNJP Hospital.
Delhi, already in the grip of a severe heatwave affecting North and Northwest India, faces a compounded crisis with a worsening water shortage. Delhi Water Minister Atishi has threatened to go on an indefinite strike starting June 21 if the water crisis is not addressed promptly.
In the capital, at least four deaths have been attributed to heat stroke so far. LNJP Hospital reported two deaths last week, while Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital each reported one death.
Dr. Suresh Kumar noted that most heatwave victims were laborers or rickshaw pullers, primarily above 60 years of age.
On Wednesday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda ordered all central government hospitals and medical institutes to prioritize the admission and treatment of heat stroke patients. Nadda also mandated the creation of special heatwave units in central government hospitals.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj chaired an emergency meeting with the heads of major hospitals in Delhi, directing them to increase the number of beds for patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.
Additionally, the Health Ministry will communicate with the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure patrolling teams call ambulances for individuals with high fever and assist in relocating homeless individuals to shelters if found lying in the open.
Operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport have also been impacted by the heatwave. A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation reported that flights are experiencing delays or waiting for favorable wind conditions due to the effects of heat on air density and aircraft lift.
Delhi Water Minister Atishi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the water crisis in the city, threatening an indefinite strike from June 21 if the issue remains unresolved. She accused Haryana of withholding Delhi's share of water despite repeated requests for intervention.
However, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini dismissed Atishi's claims, blaming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for Delhi's water distribution issues. "We are supplying water to Delhi, but the Delhi government has failed to streamline its water distribution system. The people of Delhi are suffering due to mistakes made by Kejriwal," he said.
The relentless heatwave has led to massive electricity consumption, pushing Delhi's peak power demand to an all-time high of 8,656 MW on Wednesday afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 8,647 MW set on Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Northwest India has received only 10.2 mm of rainfall since the monsoon began on June 1, 70% below the normal levels. Delhi experienced its warmest night in 12 years on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature settling at 35.2 degrees Celsius, more than eight degrees above the seasonal norm. The previous record was set in June 2012 when the minimum temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius.
