North India is struggling to breathe—both figuratively and literally—as a punishing heatwave coupled with alarming air pollution levels disrupts lives across cities and towns. With temperatures soaring and the Air Quality Index (AQI) tipping into hazardous zones, one section of the population is voicing growing concern: the elderly.
In Uttar Pradesh, where the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for 13 districts, including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ghaziabad, temperatures have surged past 41°C. The advisory warns of increased risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion, urging people to avoid the outdoors during the day.
But for senior citizens living alone or in poorly ventilated homes, staying indoors offers little comfort.
“How are we supposed to survive like this?” asks Ram Bahadur Mishra, 74, a retired teacher from Jaunpur. “Power cuts are frequent. The fan throws hot air. The air is unbreathable. Where is the government’s relief for people like us?”
His concern is echoed in urban centres like Delhi, where the mercury is climbing and the AQI levels have crossed 300, placing multiple areas in the ‘very poor’ category. Neighbourhoods such as Anand Vihar, Dwarka, Punjabi Bagh, and Mundka are reporting toxic air, while bordering regions like Ghaziabad and Noida have recorded AQI levels in the ‘severe’ range.
With humidity hovering near 60%, the scorching winds are no longer just uncomfortable—they are becoming lethal.
“I can’t even walk to the market,” says Shanti Devi, 68, from Indirapuram in Ghaziabad. “My lungs start hurting. My eyes burn. What kind of life is this?”
Pollution + Heat = A Public Health Emergency
Doctors and public health experts warn that the deadly combination of extreme heat and poor air quality is a ticking time bomb, especially for the elderly, children, and those with asthma, heart disease, or other chronic conditions.
“The dual exposure to heat and airborne pollutants increases the body’s stress, particularly on the lungs and heart,” explains Dr. Ananya Sharma, a pulmonologist at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. “We’re already seeing a rise in patients with heatstroke symptoms and respiratory distress.”
Where’s the Relief?
According to the IMD, a slight respite may come after May 19 with the possibility of light rainfall across parts of North India. But for many, even this feels insufficient and uncertain.
“Rain might come for a day or two, then what?” questions Brijmohan Srivastava, 80, a resident of Mau. “We need long-term solutions. Plant trees. Clean the air. Regulate construction dust. Where are the plans?”
Amid rising frustration, citizens are also demanding greater accountability. There are growing calls for:
- Cooling shelters and public hydration kiosks in high-risk areas.
- Air-purifying systems in hospitals and senior citizen homes.
- Strict action against polluters during heatwave periods.
- Uninterrupted power supply for fans and air conditioning, especially in government-run old-age homes.
Citizens Left to Fend for Themselves
Despite IMD alerts and health advisories, many local bodies appear ill-prepared to handle the crisis. Temporary tents, water tankers, or mobile health clinics have yet to be deployed in several affected districts.
“We get alerts on the phone, but no help on the ground,” complains Meena Kapoor, 66, in Noida. “Why are there no community cool rooms like they have in other countries?”
As North India continues to simmer, the voices of its elderly population cut through the haze with a simple, anguished plea: “How much longer must we suffer before someone acts?”
