India, July 5 -- Rising temperatures are turning outdoor labour into a dangerous public health crisis.

New Delhi

Severe heatwave conditions continuing across northern India have turned Delhi's streets, construction sites and delivery routes into zones of sustained occupational risk, with outdoor workers, gig workers and informal labourers facing growing exposure to extreme temperatures.

With mercury levels repeatedly crossing 45degC during peak spells, health experts say the capital is witnessing conditions where prolonged outdoor labour is becoming medically unsafe.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in its Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India report, thousands of deaths in India are recorded annually due to hea...