Key Points
. Nights are getting uncomfortably and dangerously hotter in Indias capital as people in the worlds most populous nation feel little respite from unrelenting temperatures.. . Northern India has endured a scorching summer, with one part of Delhi reaching 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in late May the capitals highest temperature on record.. ..
The city is cooling down by only 8.5 degrees Celsius at night compared to a 12.2 degrees cooling down inurban outskirt areas, a report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) last month tracking urban heat stress in Delhi has found.. ..
It doesnt get any better at night, even at night Im sweating, it rained a little last night but look how hot it is today, theres no relief, the 26-year-old driver said.. . Hotter nights are a consequence of the climate crisis,scientists have warned, heightening the health hazards of heat stress.. . . Studies have shownhigher nighttime temperatures make it harder to fall asleepand reduce deep wave and REM (rapid eye movement), both critical to how well the body repairs and refreshes itself at night.. ..
At least 40,000 cases of heat stroke have been reported in India since March, an official in the Ministry of Health told CNN Thursday, and at least 110 people have died across the country due to suspected heat stroke as well.. . Dr Ajay Chauhan, in charge of the first of its kind heat-stroke unit at Delhis Ram Manohar Lohiya (RML) hospital says hotter nights mean increased stress on the bodies.. ..
At least 11 people have died as a result of heat strokes at his hospital since May 29 and on Thursday alone over 20 new patients were admitted to the hospital for various heat-related illnesses.. . Over the past five decades, India has experienced more than 700 heat wave events claiming more than 17,000 lives, according to a 2021 study of extreme weather in the Weather and Climate Extremes journal.. . Delhi recorded the highest numbers of homeless deaths in the last five years during the 9-day stretch...
