India, May 21 -- This week, the mercury might rise to 46 degrees Celsius, weather officials say. One wonders how those citizens who sustain the city's street-food culture are enduring such hostile summertime days unfit for human survival. This afternoon, three cooks-Santosh, Pradeep, Prakash-at a roadside fast-food kiosk in Central Delhi's Mandi House are resting at different levels within their stall, trying to escape the punishing heat. The kiosk is shut for the day, they say.

A few steps away stands an amaltas tree in total bloom. The yellow flowers look radiant, shamelessly indifferent to the misery caused by the heat. Nearby, a traffic policeman in white shirt is continuing his duties under the blazing sun, eyes focused at the traff...