Delhi heatwave: 380 hospitalised, 14 died in 48 hours, says health minister

Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi's Health Minister, said he will look into government hospitals preparedness in dealing with health issues caused by the heatwave.

Published on: Jun 20, 2024, 13:51:33 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday said 380 people were admitted to government hospitals in the capital, while 14 have lost their lives due to heat-related cases in the past 48 hours. He added that 112 people had been discharged while 118 were still admitted to hospitals in Delhi.

Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj (File Photo)

According to media reports, 10 people have also died in Noida in the last 24 hours due to heatstroke.

Saurabh Bharadwaj said due to temperatures going as high as 52 degrees Celsius, the highest in 60 years, and night temperatures increasing to 38 degrees Celsius, a number of people suffering across north India and particularly in Delhi.

Earlier, the medical superintendent of RML hospital had stated that labourers in Delhi were most affected due to the heatwave and made up most of the patients. He also said the main cause of deaths is delays in accessing hospitals.

Bharadwaj told news agency ANI that he was visiting government hospitals and ensuring that all of them had adequate IV fluids, medicines and ice packs.

The Delhi health minister also said he has spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner about the bodies recovered by the cops and delivered to DDU hospital. He said they would work on identifying what the cause of death was in those cases and if they were indeed due to heat-related issues.

Bharadwaj said the Delhi Police, during their night patrols, should notice if people are sick or have high temperatures and escort them to the nearest hospital or call for an ambulance.

Delhi's heatwave has been relentless but light rain have led temperatures to slightly cool down on Thursday morning. The arrival of monsoons is expected to bring relief later in the month, according to the IMD. Delhi has been grappling with a water crisis as well, which has made the heat-related health issues worse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.