Delhi heatwave relief: CM Rekha Gupta says 2.65 lakh aided in 13 districts
Synopsis
Delhi's heatwave response has a number attached to it now: 2.65 lakh people reached, over a lakh ORS packets distributed, and nearly 1.14 lakh litres of cold water dispensed — all in under three weeks. CM Rekha Gupta's mobile-unit model, with daily location rotations to chase crowds, is an operational detail that most heat-relief drives skip. The campaign runs till July.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed heatwave relief operations are active across all 13 districts of Delhi as of 25 May .
Mobile Heat Relief Units reached approximately 2.65 lakh people between 6 May and 23 May .
Around 1,13,900 litres of cold drinking water and over one lakh ORS packets were distributed to prevent dehydration and heatstroke.
44,646 gamchas and 30,864 caps were handed out for sun protection.
The campaign is supervised by the Revenue Department and will continue until July .
Unit vehicle locations are rotated daily to maximise reach in crowded and vulnerable areas.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday, 25 May said the Delhi government is mounting a large-scale heatwave relief operation across all 13 districts of the capital, deploying Mobile Heat Relief Units and Cooling Zones to protect citizens, labourers, rickshaw pullers, and daily commuters from the ongoing severe heat conditions.
Scale of Relief Operations
Between 6 May and 23 May, Mobile Heat Relief Units reached approximately 2.65 lakh people across Delhi's 13 districts. During this period, around 1,13,900 litres of cold drinking water were distributed to counter heat and dehydration. More than one lakh ORS packets were also handed out to help prevent heatstroke.
To shield people from direct sun exposure, the drive distributed 44,646 gamchas and 30,864 caps. Significant outreach was recorded in the North-East, East, South-West, and New Delhi districts, according to the Chief Minister's statement.
How the Programme Works
The entire operation is being supervised by the Revenue Department. Notably, the locations of Mobile Heat Relief Unit vehicles are rotated daily to ensure coverage reaches the most crowded and vulnerable areas rather than remaining static. Chief Minister Gupta said this design reflects a deliberate effort to maximise ground-level impact.
Cooling Zones have been set up at fixed locations across districts, offering citizens — particularly outdoor workers — a space to rest and recover from the heat. These zones are specifically designed keeping in mind the needs of people who have no access to air-conditioned spaces during work hours.
Government's Position
Chief Minister Gupta stated that the Delhi government's objective goes beyond routine administration — it is to guarantee the safety and comfort of every resident during the extreme weather period. 'The government is working on the ground with utmost sensitivity so that no one suffers from the heat,' she said, adding that the Mobile Heat Relief Units and Cooling Zones embody the administration's humanitarian approach.
The situation is being continuously monitored, and relief arrangements will be scaled up further as conditions demand, she added.
Timeline and What Comes Next
The heatwave relief campaign is slated to continue until July. With temperatures in Delhi consistently breaching seasonal averages, the administration faces pressure to sustain and expand the current outreach. The India Meteorological Department has flagged prolonged heat conditions for the region, making the continuation of these measures critical for vulnerable populations through the peak summer months.
Point of View
1,13,900 litres of water, one lakh ORS packets — which is a step above the vague 'relief is being provided' language that typically accompanies such announcements. The daily rotation of mobile unit locations is a logistically sound detail that suggests operational seriousness. What remains unaddressed is independent confirmation of reach: whether the 2.65 lakh figure reflects unique individuals or cumulative interactions matters enormously for assessing impact. With the campaign running till July and temperatures unlikely to ease before then, the real test will be whether coverage scales proportionally — or whether the current numbers represent a plateau dressed up as momentum.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Delhi government doing to provide heatwave relief?
The Delhi government has deployed Mobile Heat Relief Units and set up Cooling Zones across all 13 districts of the capital. The campaign, supervised by the Revenue Department, distributes cold drinking water, ORS packets, gamchas, and caps to citizens, labourers, and outdoor workers.
How many people have benefited from Delhi's heatwave relief drive?
Approximately 2.65 lakh people were reached by Mobile Heat Relief Units between 6 May and 23 May 2025. The drive also distributed around 1,13,900 litres of cold drinking water and more than one lakh ORS packets during the same period.
How long will Delhi's heatwave relief campaign last?
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has stated the campaign will continue until July. Relief arrangements will be further strengthened as required, based on ongoing monitoring of the situation.
Who is most targeted by Delhi's heatwave relief measures?
The relief drive specifically targets citizens, daily labourers, rickshaw pullers, commuters, and people working in the open — groups with the least access to cooling facilities during peak summer heat.
Which districts in Delhi received the most heatwave relief?
Significant outreach was recorded in the North-East, East, South-West, and New Delhi districts, according to the Chief Minister's statement. Mobile unit locations are rotated daily to ensure coverage of the most crowded and needy areas.
