An NGO, the Centre for Holistic Development (CHD), has claimed that 474 homeless people in Delhi died from “winter exposure” between November 15, 2024, and January 10, 2025. The claim, based on police statistics, has not been officially confirmed.
In a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Dharmendra and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) CEO Ravi Dhawan, CHD highlighted that 80% of “unidentified dead bodies” in the city are believed to belong to homeless individuals.
The NGO stated that these deaths occurred due to exposure to freezing temperatures and the lack of essential protective measures, such as warm clothing, blankets, and adequate shelter.
It also outlined the numerous health challenges faced by people living on the streets, including respiratory infections, skin ailments, arthritis flare-ups, and mental health deterioration.
“Chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases worsen in freezing temperatures, increasing the risk of severe complications and death,” the NGO added.
CHD further noted that many city shelters are unable to accommodate the growing demand, and those that are functional often lack basic amenities such as heating and hot water, leaving the homeless vulnerable to the cold.
The NGO urged the authorities to take immediate action by increasing shelter capacity, ensuring the availability of essential services like hot water, heating, and warm clothing, and implementing inclusive housing policies to address the root causes of homelessness.
It emphasized that comprehensive support services are necessary to mitigate the risks faced by the homeless population during extreme winters and prevent further loss of life.
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