India logged rise in pregnancy heat-risk days in last 5 yrs: Study

Climate change accounted for nearly one-third of the average annual number of pregnancy heat-risk days in India during 2020 to 2024

India experienced an average of six additional pregnancy heat-risk days each year over the past five years, a new analysis by Climate Central has found.

Extreme heat is one of the most dangerous climate risks for maternal and infant health north India, the study said. (AFP File)

Pregnancy heat risk days are when maximum temperatures exceed 95% of historic local temperatures, a threshold associated with increased risks of preterm birth. Preterm birth can have lasting health effects on the baby and increase the risk of maternal health problems after birth too.

During the past five years, climate change has at least doubled