NEW DELHI: As temperatures continued to soar under an orange alert, the capital witnessed a worrying rise in heat-related illnesses, with at least 15 to 25 cases reported across city hospitals on Friday, doctors said.
A day after two heatstroke patients were admitted, medical professionals noted that cases are now emerging from different parts of the capital, signalling the early impact of the ongoing heatwave.
Dr Sanjay Sood, senior medical officer at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, said, “Heat wave cases have started reaching hospitals… around 15 to 25 cases have already started coming in.”
He added that the confirmed cases of heatstroke, one of the most severe forms of heat-related illness, have already been reported, raising concerns among the healthcare providers. The gravity of the situation is evident at RML Hospital, where two patients admitted on May 21 highlight the dangers of prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
Dr Ajay Chauhan, director and professor of medicine at RML, detailed their condition. “A 24-year-old man, arrived unconscious with a body temperature of 105°F and remains critical on ventilator support despite immediate cooling treatment,” he said. “Another patient, brought in later, responded well and is now stable,” he added.
Doctors warned that heatstroke can escalate rapidly and may prove fatal if not treated promptly. With neighbouring regions such as Noida and Ghaziabad already under red alert, indicating severe conditions, health experts caution that number of cases could rise sharply in the coming days.
Heatwave till May 28: IMD
IMD retained its alert for heatwave conditions in the capital till May 28. Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, recorded a maximum of 43.3 degrees Celsius on Friday. Delhi government and the IMD have been urging the residents to take precautions, including staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours, and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke appear.
