The Guardian

Coping with 54C heat: Delhi slum diaries detail living in extreme temperatures

Suchitra in Delhi — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:45 GMT

With heatwaves now recognised as disasters, personal testimonies are key to a new project that looks to protect those living in the most cramped districts of India’s capital

Every summer evening, Gulshan follows the same routine. She washes the floor of her one-room home several times so it cools a little for her four children to sleep on. Last summer, the family saved enough to buy a desert cooler, which uses evaporation as a cheaper alternative to air conditioning.

The family uses the appliance cautiously to save on energy costs. But even when it is on, Gulshan, who does not use a surname, has to dampeneveryone’s clothes before sleeping. The 39-year-old and her children now have rashes and one has a skin infection from the wet cloth against their skin.

The Guardian

Coping with 54C heat: Delhi slum diaries detail living in extreme temperatures

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