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Salt Pan Workers in Thoothukudi Start Shifts at 1 AM to Escape Severe Heat

Salt pan workers in Thoothukudi have begun their shifts at 1 AM to escape the severe heat, working until 8 AM. Despite the early start, they face a lack of basic toilet facilities and safe drinking water. Workers like Kala and Sathyabama have appealed for incentive allowances and basic amenities. Meanwhile, the Union Health Secretary has advised states to prepare for predicted above-normal heatwave days from April to June 2026.

Key Points: Thoothukudi Salt Pan Workers Shift to 1 AM Due to Heat

  • Salt pan workers in Thoothukudi start shifts at 1 AM to avoid peak heat
  • Workers face lack of basic toilet facilities and safe drinking water
  • Union Health Secretary advises states on heatwave preparedness
  • IMD predicts above-normal heatwave days from April to June 2026
2 min read

Tamil Nadu: Salt pan workers begin shift at 1 AM to escape severe heat in Thoothukudi

Salt pan workers in Thoothukudi begin shifts at 1 AM to avoid severe heat, lacking basic facilities like toilets and drinking water.

"We work from 1 am to 8 am. There are no basic toilet facilities. Despite the hard labour, we receive only minimum wages. - Kala"

Thoothukudi, April 29

Amid the severe heat, salt pan workers have been forced to begin their shifts as early as 1 am to avoid the peak afternoon hours in Thoothukudi.

Speaking to ANI, salt pan worker Kala said, "We are salt pan workers. We work from 1 am to 8 am. There are no basic toilet facilities. Despite the hard labour, we receive only minimum wages. The government should provide us with an incentive allowance."

Sathyabama, another salt pan worker, said that crews are forced to work from 1 am to 8 am to endure the heat, yet they still face a lack of basic toilet facilities and safe drinking water.

"Due to the intense heat, we start work as early as 1 am and continue until 8 am. Both men and women work here. However, there are no toilet facilities and no access to safe drinking water... We request to please fulfil our demands," Sathyabama told ANI.

Meanwhile, earlier, the Union Health Secretary wrote to all State and UT Chief Secretaries on heatwave preparedness and advised them to operationalise dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at all health facilities, ensure adequate preparedness of ambulance services, disseminate early warnings for timely action, and enable real-time reporting of heat stroke cases on the Ministry's IHIP portal.

According to the letter, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal heatwave days across several parts of the country from April to June 2026, along with its monthly forecast for April.

It further stated that regions in East, Central, and North-West India, along with the South-East Peninsula, are likely to experience an increased number of heatwave days.

Coastal areas of Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh are also expected to be significantly affected. Additionally, isolated regions of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka may witness similar conditions.

In view of the forecast, the Union Health Secretary urged States and Union Territories to ensure preparedness to tackle heat-related illnesses.

This includes operationalising dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at all health facilities, ensuring adequate ambulance services, disseminating early warnings for timely action, and maintaining real-time reporting of heat stroke cases on the Ministry's Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The Union Health Secretary writing letters about heat stroke management units is good, but what about the workers who are suffering right now? These women are working in salt pans, and they don't even have basic sanitation. We need action, not just bureaucratic checks.
J
Jessica F
This is heartbreaking. In 2026, we're still seeing workers forced into such conditions. The government should provide proper facilities and fair wages. Also, the heatwave preparedness is crucial—let's hope the authorities take this seriously.
V
Vikram M
Kala and Sathyabama are speaking for thousands of salt pan workers. They're literally working through the night to stay alive, and yet no one cares. These are the people who keep our country's salt industry running. We owe them much more than this.
A
Aditya G
I appreciate the government's heatwave preparedness plan, but it must include direct relief for workers like these. Toilet facilities and safe drinking water are basic human needs. The incentive allowance request is also very reasonable.
S
Sarah B
It's 2026, and people still lack basic amenities? This is unacceptable. These workers deserve dignity and proper support. The heatwave is getting worse every year, and the most vulnerable are paying the price.
N
Naveen S

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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