India on Fire: Dealing with the heatwave crisis

This year, heatwaves have wreaked havoc around the globe. India has not been spared from extreme heat. Slums are ablaze, water is running dry, and heatstroke and dehydration are common ailments.
Subscribe to Journeyman here: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c...

For more information, visit https://www.journeyman.tv/film/8336

In recent months, India has been facing unprecedented heat. In New Delhi and parts of Northwestern India, temperatures have been up to ten degrees hotter than usual. Bablu Kumar works as a rickshaw driver in New Delhi. 'I have never experienced such hot days in my life', says Kumar. Like many of the poorest in New Delhi, the heat is impacting him disproportionately: the hotter weather means he must take more work breaks, which in turn impacts his income. Meanwhile, the city is ablaze - with fires caused by electrical overloads, from increased use of air conditioning. Firefighters like Niti Lohchab now receive dozens of calls each day. 'What if something happens to me? Who will take care of my daughter?', asks Lohchab, who has witnessed the deadly impact of house fires first hand. As the sun beats down on New Delhi, water shortages have become the norm - resulting in dehydration.' We don’t get enough water. We can't afford to buy it either. When there’s a shortage of water, there are fights between families', says Delhi resident Ajhmool Sheikh.

Like us on Facebook:   / journeymanpictures  
Follow us on Twitter:
  / journeymannews  
  / journeymanvod  
Follow us on Instagram:   / journeymanpictures  
Visit our subreddit:   / journeymanpictures  

Al Jazeera – Ref. 8336