India’s salt workers brave brutal heat on Gujarat’s desert plains
Summary
In Gujarat, India, about 50,000 seasonal salt workers face extreme heat and difficult living conditions on the salt flats for eight months each year. The harsh climate helps produce most of India's salt, but workers suffer from heat stress, dehydration, and poor shelter while relying on traditional methods to protect themselves.Key Facts
- Gujarat produces roughly three-quarters of India’s salt.
- Around 50,000 seasonal workers migrate to the Little Rann of Kutch region annually.
- Workers live without electricity, healthcare, or permanent homes on salt flats.
- Temperatures often rise above 45°C (113°F) and can reach up to 48°C (118°F).
- Water supply arrives only once every 25 days for drinking and washing.
- Workers make shelters from sticks, cloth, and wild donkey dung to block the sun and allow airflow.
- Health issues reported include fatigue, dizziness, dehydration, and early kidney problems.
- Shifts to solar-powered water pumps have extended the working season into hotter months.
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