Delhi rolls out heatwave action plan; work breaks from 1–4 pm for outdoor labourers, ORS for students, water points across city

As temperatures climb across the national capital, the Delhi government announced on Monday that it has rolled out a series of coordinated measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the ongoing heatwave, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations such as labourers, schoolchildren, and daily commuters.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta outlined a multi-pronged response, stressing that all departments have been issued detailed guidelines to ensure preparedness and public safety during the extreme weather spell.

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At the heart of the government’s intervention is a directive from the Labour Ministry mandating employers to provide relief to outdoor workers during peak heat hours.

Labourers are to be given compulsory rest between 1 pm and 4 pm — the period when temperatures typically reach their highest. Employers have also been instructed to ensure access to drinking water, shaded rest areas, and overall welfare provisions at worksites.

Schools, too, have been brought under the ambit of precautionary measures.

Authorities have been directed to ensure that campuses are adequately equipped to handle the heat, with functioning fans, access to clean drinking water, and appropriate care for students. In a notable step, schools have been asked to provide Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to children before they leave for home, aiming to prevent dehydration-related illnesses.

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The Transport Department has been tasked with setting up water counters near bus shelters across the city. These kiosks will provide chilled drinking water and ORS solutions free of cost, offering relief to commuters navigating the sweltering conditions.

Meanwhile, healthcare preparedness has also been ramped up.

According to the chief minister, hospitals across Delhi are on alert and equipped to handle heat-related emergencies, with adequate stocks of medicines and necessary infrastructure in place. “In case of any situation, all facilities will be available,” she said.

Additionally, the government has assured that water supply systems will remain fully operational, an essential measure as demand surges during heatwaves.

IMD issues heatwave alert

The India Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave alert for large parts of northwest and central India, cautioning that severe conditions are likely to persist over the next three days.

According to the weather department, heatwave conditions are expected in isolated pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, and Gujarat. In Delhi, the forecast indicates mainly clear skies turning partly cloudy, with the possibility of thundery development and a brief spell of very light rain towards the afternoon or evening.

The IMD has advised residents to avoid prolonged exposure to heat, wear lightweight and light-coloured cotton clothing, and cover their heads with a cloth, hat, or umbrella when outdoors.