Heatwave – Delhi Cooling Centre Struggles to Ease Extreme Summer Conditions
Heatwave – Delhi’s intense summer conditions continue to affect thousands of people travelling and working outdoors each day. With temperatures nearing 44 degrees Celsius, the capital’s only government-operated cooling centre near Gate No. 4 of the Jama Masjid Metro station has become a temporary shelter for many residents seeking relief from the scorching heat.
Limited Relief Amid Rising Temperatures
The cooling facility, created using five temporary tents, can accommodate nearly 100 people at a time. The centre has been equipped with water dispensers, electric fans, air coolers, and ORS packets to help visitors manage dehydration and heat exhaustion during peak afternoon hours.
A large number of auto-rickshaw drivers, labourers, street workers, and pedestrians were seen taking short breaks inside the tents to escape the harsh outdoor temperatures. Despite the basic arrangements, many visitors described the centre as an important support point during the ongoing heatwave.
Visitors Depend on the Cooling Facility
Among those using the centre was 65-year-old auto driver Mahender Kapoor, who said he stopped there after feeling unwell while working on the roads under direct sunlight.
He explained that he consumed an ORS solution provided at the site and rested near one of the coolers for some time, which helped him recover from dizziness caused by the heat. Kapoor also mentioned that he had recently undergone eye surgery and continuing work under such extreme weather conditions had become increasingly difficult.
According to him, financial responsibilities leave him with little choice but to continue driving despite the dangerous temperatures. He added that facilities like the cooling centre offer temporary comfort during exhausting working hours.
Open Structure Reduces Cooling Effect
Although around 10 coolers and multiple fans have been installed, several people pointed out that the overall cooling impact remains weak because the tents are open from all sides. The hot air entering continuously reduces the effectiveness of the cooling equipment, especially during the hottest part of the day.
Visitors said the coolers often circulated warm air instead of providing meaningful relief. Many expressed concern that the arrangements lacked proper insulation and stronger infrastructure required for severe summer conditions in the capital.
Officials Monitor Health Support Measures
Personnel from the Delhi Civil Defence department were present at the location to supervise operations and assist visitors facing heat-related health issues. Emergency medicines and first-aid supplies were also kept at the centre for immediate assistance.
One official deployed at the site, Sunita, stated that more than 500 people visit the cooling zone every day. According to her, most individuals stop briefly to drink water, rest for a few minutes, and recover before returning to work.
She added that daily wage labourers and auto drivers form the majority of the visitors using the facility during afternoon hours.
Questions Raised Over Infrastructure
A closer look at the arrangements revealed additional concerns regarding the facility’s infrastructure. The water dispensers installed at the site were connected through pipes to a Delhi Jal Board tanker. The same water supply was reportedly being used both for drinking purposes and for operating the air coolers.
Some visitors also complained about the absence of properly chilled drinking water despite the extreme weather conditions. Sunil, another driver resting at the centre, said the initiative appeared insufficient compared to the scale of the heatwave affecting the city.
He remarked that while such centres may help create awareness and provide temporary assistance, they do not offer a long-term solution for workers spending entire days outdoors in severe temperatures.