Mumbai's Escalating Heat Crisis Puts Outdoor Workers at Risk
Over the past three decades, Mumbai has experienced a significant rise in average temperatures, accompanied by more frequent and intense heatwaves. The coastal city's high humidity exacerbates discomfort, while rapid concrete development contributes to localized temperature increases. In response, the state government recently issued a heat management advisory for the informal sector, highlighting the urgent need to protect vulnerable workers.
Vegetable Seller Battles Spoilage and Swollen Feet
Versova vegetable seller Ramesh Ojha, 32, faces daily losses due to the relentless heat. "Look at these papayas, they've over-ripened in the heat," he says, pointing to his cart. "I lose three to five fruits every week if they don't sell quickly." Tomatoes, bananas, and cucumbers spoil just as rapidly, while leafy vegetables wilt and dry out prematurely. Ojha estimates he discards 5% of his stock weekly.
For years, Ojha has operated his handcart along Panch Marg, where buildings vastly outnumber trees. He compensates for the lack of shade with a steady stream of customers. When possible, he retreats to a nearby building's shaded carport to escape the heat and rest his swollen feet. The building also provides drinking water—he consumes 3-4 liters daily.
Ojha avoids working during the hottest afternoon hours. "I'm here from 7:30 AM to 9 PM, with a break from 2 to 5 PM when I go home to rest," he explains. During his absence, he secures his wares under a tarpaulin, primarily as protection from thieves, though it offers minimal shelter from the sun.
Delivery Rider Struggles with Scarcity and Exhaustion
In South Mumbai, delivery rider Aijaz Ansari (name changed) faces his own set of challenges. By 11:30 AM, the water cooler outside his dark store is already half empty. Dressed in a full-sleeved T-shirt and a summer cap, he prepares for his shift on an e-bicycle. Officially running from 4 AM to 4 PM, his hours often extend longer.
Ansari notes that every season brings difficulties, but at least monsoon rains come with work incentives. Summer offers no such relief. This April has been particularly harsh. The company distributes glucose sachets, but supplies deplete quickly. The water booth is refilled only once daily, forcing him to purchase bottled water out of pocket. "There is not even a restroom here," says Ansari, who sleeps outside the store.
Sometimes, he carries heavy deliveries up multiple flights of stairs in buildings without elevators. Descending drenched in sweat, he often finds another order waiting. Ansari tries to avoid accepting orders between 1-4 PM, but this means sacrificing income. He earns Rs 15 per kilometer, delivering parcels within one- to two-kilometer ranges on a rented bike. Recently, he and fellow riders demanded better pay, only to receive warnings that their IDs could be deactivated.
Auto Driver Faces Income Decline and Health Issues
For auto driver Rakesh Yadav, a migrant from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, temperature and income share an inverse relationship: as heat rises, earnings fall by approximately 25% during summer. Driving through Bandra West to Andheri East on a weekday afternoon feels like navigating a brick wall of heat.
A makeshift curtain across his windshield's lower half protects his cellphone—essential for his livelihood—but offers little personal relief. "The most I can do is cool off in the shade of a tree for an hour or two after lunch," says Yadav, who typically works from morning to night. A plastic one-liter water bottle wedged near his feet provides some hydration, but he limits himself to two liters daily due to diabetes and urinary incontinence. "If I drink more water, I urinate more often. How can I do that during a ride?"
Beyond the natural summer slowdown, Yadav faces additional challenges on ride-hailing apps. High auto supply combined with low demand drives rates down by up to 30%. "It's like the share market," he remarks, highlighting the precarious nature of his income.
These personal stories underscore the broader impact of Mumbai's escalating heat on the informal sector. As temperatures continue to climb, outdoor workers like Ojha, Ansari, and Yadav grapple with health risks, financial losses, and inadequate support systems. The state government's advisory marks a step forward, but tangible solutions are urgently needed to safeguard these vulnerable communities against the growing climate threat.
