Climate Change

Urban heatscapes: How pollution adds to Delhi’s heat

When the two collide, they create a deadly double burden for the city’s outdoor workers

Surangya Kaur, KA Shreya

Delhi is infamous for its scorching heat and toxic air. But what’s less discussed is how the two collide — creating a deadly double burden for the city’s outdoor workers.

In the final episode of ‘Urban Heatscapes’, we follow gig workers across Delhi to understand what it means to spend a day exposed to both heat and pollution. From congested streets in Jhilmil and Sangam Vihar to the city’s quick-commerce delivery boom, we see how rising ozone and PM2.5 levels worsen heat stress, making survival and work even harder.

We also explore the small but important solutions — from water ATMs and community matkas to women-led logistics initiatives — and ask: can Delhi rise to the challenge of protecting its most vulnerable workers?