Zomato urges customers to avoid ordering during peak afternoon amid heatwave

Amid the severe heat wave hitting the country, Zomato urges customers to refrain from ordering food during the ‘peak’ afternoon hours. This appeal was made in a viral post on the social media platform X, and it sparked a wide range of reactions from users.

“Pls avoid ordering during peak afternoon unless absolutely necessary,” Zomato wrote on Sunday. The post quickly attracted the attention of the audience, with many social media users expressing their opinions about Zomato’s request. Some users criticised the food delivery company for this appeal. One user commented, “A food delivery app avoiding delivery is not a good idea; instead, you should focus on how delivery partners can avoid heat stroke.” Another user stated, “Indirectly suggesting not to eat between 2-4 pm unless absolutely necessary.” One user questioned the practicality of the request by asking, “Is it even real? Though I appreciate the concern, lunchtime orders cannot be postponed to dinner time. If so, Zomato needs to identify ‘absolutely necessary’ orders and not-so-necessary orders.”

However, many users also supported Zomato’s stance. One user wrote, “I was thinking the same thing today, then decided to eat Maggi instead of ordering online.” Another added, “Did the same today. Ordered directly from the restaurant. Thank you for being so considerate about the delivery boys.”

The heatwave in India has reached critical levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Sunday that heatwave conditions are expected to affect many parts of the country on June 3. “Heatwave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on June 3,” IMD stated.

According to the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), 56 people have died as temperatures soared between 44-46 degrees Celsius across much of the country, with 46 fatalities occurring in May alone. These high temperatures have significant health risks, particularly for those who have to work outside, such as delivery personnel.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting to review the current heatwave conditions in India. This meeting was aimed at assessing the impact of the extreme temperatures and considering measures to lessen the effects on the population. Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon arrived on the Kerala coast on Thursday and is making its way through parts of northeast India. The arrival of the monsoon is a welcome relief, as it is expected to bring a period of rest from the intense heat.

The severe heatwave has not only affected daily life but has also put a strain on various services, including food delivery. Zomato’s appeal reflects the challenging conditions that delivery workers face during these extreme weather conditions. The company’s request for customers to avoid placing orders during peak afternoon hours is to protect the health and well-being of their delivery partners. This request has led to a debate on social media about the best ways to support and protect delivery workers during heat waves.

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