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May 20, 2025 – India has experienced a significant rise in the number of dangerously hot days for pregnant women, with an average of six additional “pregnancy heat-risk days” each year from 2020 to 2024, according to a new study by Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators based in the US.
Alarming Trends Across India
The study, which analyzed daily temperatures across 247 countries and territories-including 940 cities-found that the number of days with extreme heat linked to higher risks of preterm birth and maternal health complications has doubled in 90% of countries worldwide.
In India, climate change was responsible for nearly one-third of the average annual number of dangerous heat days for pregnant women during the five-year period, contributing six out of a total of 19 such days each year.
Regional and Urban Hotspots
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Sikkim reported the highest number of pregnancy heat-risk days attributed to climate change, with 32 days.
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Goa and Kerala followed with 24 and 18 additional days, respectively.
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Among Indian cities, Panaji experienced the highest average number of additional risk days annually (39), followed by Thiruvananthapuram (36) and Mumbai (26).
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Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune each recorded seven additional days over the past five years.
Global Context and Health Risks
The study highlighted that nearly a third of countries experienced an extra month’s worth of dangerous pregnancy heat-risk days each year. The largest increases were seen in regions with limited access to healthcare, such as the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Medical research has linked high temperatures during pregnancy to increased risks of complications, including hypertension, gestational diabetes, hospitalization, severe maternal morbidity, stillbirth, and preterm birth-outcomes that can have lifelong impacts on children.
Expert Warnings
“Extreme heat is now one of the most pressing threats to pregnant people worldwide, pushing more pregnancies into high-risk territory, especially in places already struggling with limited healthcare access,” said Dr. Bruce Bekkar, a women’s health physician and authority on climate change’s dangers to human health.
Kristina Dahl, vice-president for science at Climate Central, emphasized, “Even a single day of extreme heat can raise the risk of serious pregnancy complications.”
Both experts stressed the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel emissions to protect maternal and infant health globally.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by CNBC TV18 and findings from a Climate Central study. The health impacts and data described are subject to ongoing research and may evolve as new evidence emerges. For medical advice regarding pregnancy and heat exposure, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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