Heat Strain: Chennai’s Sanitation Workers Struggle Amid Rising Temperatures

As Chennai faces another scorching summer, sanitation workers find themselves battling dehydration and fatigue amid inadequate facilities. With public toilets often locked or in disrepair, workers rely on the goodwill of residents for water and restroom access during their grueling shifts. In low-income areas, residents are more accommodating, offering not just water but also shelter from the blazing sun.

However, challenges persist for those working on main roads and night shifts, as commercial establishments often deny them respite. Calls for intervention from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and local councillors echo, urging immediate action to improve conditions and ensure the well-being of the city’s essential workers.