Boiling tap water, ACs useless: Delhiites miserable in blistering heat

Delhi-NCR is in the throes of a merciless summer, with residents turning into human puddles as the unrelenting heatwave shows no signs of abating. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “red” alert, the highest level, with temperatures forecast to scorch at a brutal 45 degrees Celsius.

This isn’t your average summer heat. The city has been stuck on broil for eight days straight, with temperatures well above 40 degrees. While some relief is expected later in the week, for now, residents must cope with the blistering heat.

Taking to social media, residents have been venting their frustrations and sharing their struggles. A lifelong Delhi resident lamented on X, “I’ve lived in Delhi all my life, experiencing many summers, but this year even a 15-minute walk outside is daunting. It’s 41 degrees at 10 pm, with relentless heat throughout the day. Those of us lucky to have AC struggle; imagine the city’s poor who must live and work outdoors.”

Another tweeted a tale of lukewarm woe: “I tried to take bath with overhead tank water at 6.30 am. The water was boiling even at 6.30 am. Even ACs are not working properly, refrigerator is not cooling This is the first time I have seen such scorching heat in Delhi NCR in my 20 years of my existence.”

The scorching temperatures have some residents searching for answers. One social media user demanded, “…Why it’s so hot in Delhi NCR, the temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius at 9 pm, conditions are almost the same if AC is on or off. Is the excessive amount of AC the reason for this scorching heat or is the manufacture of more glass buildings or is there some other reason?”

For those who sought refuge in the hills, disappointment awaited. One X user recounted their failed escape: “I came to the hills in Mussoorie to beat the heat of Mumbai and Pune, but trust me, this is way hotter and unbearable. Please don’t visit Mussoorie now and don’t rely on vlogs and blogs. This is as good or bad as Delhi/Mumbai.”

The scorching temperatures are not just causing discomfort, they’re raising concerns about the well-being of residents and pushing the city’s infrastructure to its limits. “I go to bed and the temperature is 41 degrees Celsius. Friends tell of people landing up in ICU with heart attacks from the heat/heatstroke,” one person tweeted.

Amidst the sweat and struggle, a call for environmental action emerged: “Delhi is going through a serious heatwave, with tap water getting super hot and ACs breaking down. It’s time to rethink our concrete jungles and start planting more trees.”