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No shade, no water: Where are LMC’s cooling centres amid heat?
Lucknow's municipal corporation has not rolled out dedicated cooling centres at major intersections to aid street dwellers during a heatwave. A Hindustan Times survey found no functional water or shade facilities at key crossings as temperatures rose above 41°C, prompting concerns about civic preparedness and a contrast with last year's interventions.
Why It Matters
The lack of cooling facilities amid extreme heat highlights gaps in urban heat relief infrastructure and civic readiness.
Timeline
5 Events
Sales executive cites rising water costs amid heat
April 20, 2026
Harshit Solanki, a sales executive, said rising costs of buying water daily add to his financial burden, often relying on restaurants to refill bottles or seeking any available public water points.
Delivery worker quotes highlight dehydration risk and water refills
April 20, 2026
Rishi Saini, a delivery executive, said he carries water from home and requests customers or nearby shopkeepers to refill his bottle, noting that heat makes continuous work difficult.
Temperature crosses 41°C mark during heatwave
April 20, 2026
The city’s maximum temperature rose to 41.6°C, with reports noting 41°C on Monday as part of the heatwave conditions.
Ground survey finds no functional water or shade facilities at major intersections
April 20, 2026
Hindustan Times conducted a ground survey at Lucknow's major intersections, including 1090, Mithaiwala, Patrakarpuram, Burlington and Gole Market crossings, and found no functional drinking water points or shaded canopies.
Last year's early heat-relief intervention referenced
2025
The article notes there was an early intervention last year to address heat relief, contrasting with the current lack of dedicated cooling centres at major intersections.