With the national capital struggling under extreme temperatures, Delhi has witnessed the tragic deaths of five individuals due to a relentless heatwave in the last 72 hours. Victims succumbed to heatstroke at three major hospitals in Delhi, while in Noida, over ten deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours alone, according to media reports.
Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital each reported one death from heatstroke. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital currently has around 36 patients admitted with heatwave-related illnesses. At Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP), three individuals have died, including a car mechanic who was admitted with a high fever of 106 degrees on June 15 and passed away the following day, according to an India Today report.
Another victim, a 70-year-old man from Bihar, died from heatstroke after missing his train and wandering around the station. LNJP Hospital has admitted over seven patients with fevers ranging from 106 to 107 degrees, five of whom are on ventilators. Among these critically ill patients, three are over 65 years old.
Dr. Suresh Kumar, managing director of LNJP Hospital, noted that most of those affected by the heatwave are laborers or rickshaw pullers, predominantly above the age of 60, the report further stated. The patients are primarily suffering from electrolyte deficiencies, heatstroke, extremely high fevers, and severe dehydration.
The surge in heatstroke cases is evident across various private hospitals and clinics in Delhi. Dr. Gaurav Kumar, who runs a clinic in Paharganj, reported a more than twofold increase in heatwave-related cases over the past month, with the majority being rickshaw pullers and daily laborers, as per India Today.
Despite the dire situation, there may be some respite for Delhi and its surrounding areas in the next 24-48 hours due to an ongoing western disturbance, which could provide temporary relief from the oppressive heat.
As the region braces for continued high temperatures, authorities and healthcare providers remain on high alert, urging residents to take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.