A lone water vendor waits at Bandstand, selling relief by the bottle, his own face weathered by the sun. Temperatures in densely built areas are now 3–5°C higher than less congested zones, driven by unchecked urbanisation. Prolonged heat exposure has turned daily life into a health hazard, particularly for the city’s working class and low-income groups.

A porter hauls luggage outside the parcel section at Bandra Terminus under the afternoon sun.

Bilal Khan, convenor of Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan, pointed out the lack of government intervention despite rising threats to slum and transit camp dwellers. Khan questioned the logic of closing public gardens during peak hours, when residents might otherwise use them for shade and recovery. He highlighted the absence of a Heat Action Plan in Mumbai, citing Ahmedabad’s model as an example to follow.

Handcart workers hydrate themselves at Abdul Rehman Street as temperatures soar.

In informal settlements like Dharavi and Kurla, homes offer no respite—often becoming hotter than the streets outside. In March 2025, temperature highs neared 40°C, with some areas experiencing prolonged exposure due to easterly winds and delayed sea breezes. Health risks are rising—hospitals are seeing a spike in heatstroke and dehydration cases, especially in low-income zones.