The severe heat in Delhi has reportedly claimed at least 53 lives in the national capital. This week, the Indian Meteorological Department issued a red alert in Delhi, warning of an “extremely high likelihood” of heatstroke and heat illness. 

On June 19, the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Delhi reported receiving 22 unidentified dead bodies, suspected to be homeless and having died “due to the extreme heatwave condition in the city”. Newslaundry also met two homeless families residing in Old Delhi who claimed that they lost their newborn babies due to heat. 

In May, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena ordered that construction workers – who are vulnerable to “exertional heatstroke” – be given a three-hour paid leave from 12 pm to 3 pm in view of the heatwave. But Newslaundry found that the order is sparsely implemented. 

The workers at Delhi’s two prominent construction sites – the Central Vista Project near India Gate and the Sarai Kale Khan Metro project – alleged that they have not received the three-hour paid leave at all. Most of them were not aware of the order. They told Newslaundry that they have to work 12-hour shifts with only an hour-long break during the day. 

“Even on Sunday, we have to work till 2 pm,” said a worker. “What can we do? We all are working here out of compulsion,” said another.  

Watch.