In Delhi, informal workers like street vendors and waste pickers face unprecedented heatwaves that threaten their health and livelihoods. They bear the brunt of soaring temperatures without any real support infrastructure or formal protection. Now, a grassroots alliance between the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Greenpeace India, and worker unions are taking action to change that.
WhatsApp messages and color-coded warnings save lives of vulnerable
The pioneering initiative has created WhatsApp groups and simple visual warning systems in local languages to communicate daily heat alerts. Messages are sent by community leaders and posted on colorful signboards in crowded markets and across neighborhoods. These signs — marked with yellow and red color codes — advise workers upon what precautions to take and when to seek shade or hydration. The IMD also provides early warnings on television and radio, but the new grassroots method is proving far more effective in reaching vulnerable groups.
Grassroots initiative empowering workers in face of climate change
India’sMinistry of Health reported nearly 40,000 cases of suspected heat stroke and over 100 heatwave-related deaths last year, with conditions worsening due to rising humidity and urban crowding. This community-led solution is more than a stopgap—it's empowering workers to protect themselves from such climate risks. Since May 2024, over two dozen heat signboards have been installed, and five unions have received training to interpret alerts. The initiative is now being expanded to other Indian cities.
But systemic challenges remain. A lack of designated vending spaces and inconsistent enforcement of safety measures are among the problems. They also include minimal access to clean drinking water and police harassment if the workers set up makeshift sunshades. For lasting change, public authorities must respond to these grassroots efforts to help those most exposed to extreme weather.