New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has asked the chief secretary to meet officers from the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board and the social welfare and health departments in the wake of a rise in the instances of heat-related deaths in the city.

In a letter, the Lt Governor's office has directed the officials to ensure adequate measures are in place for providing water and other facilities to the destitute, homeless and the poor.

Also Read | Gurugram: Racket Selling 'Herbal Pills' To Boost Sexual Health Busted in Sector 18; Four Women Among 11 Arrested.

Ashish Kundra, principal secretary to the LG, cited a news report regarding the deaths of at least 20 people in the last two days due to the intense heatwave in the city.

"Fifty-two people have been reportedly declared dead on arrival (in hospitals) and most of these were destitute homeless people. The actual numbers appear to be much higher. The LG is anguished over such unfortunate incidents in the national capital," read the letter.

Also Read | NEET UG 2024 Paper Leak Case: Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP-Led NDA Government, Says Opposition To Raise Issue in Parliament (Watch Video).

According to the letter, the Lt Governor has directed that a meeting be convened at the chief secretary level with concerned officers of the DUSIB, social welfare and health departments.

District magistrates may also visit the shelter homes and hospitals in their jurisdiction to ensure adequate arrangements are in place for relief and emergency response where warranted.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)