The Unseen Toll: Pregnant Women in Delhi’s Slums Battle Extreme Heat
While the nation’s capital debates women’s empowerment in political corridors, a far more urgent crisis is unfolding in its neglected neighborhoods. As Delhi’s mercury climbs past 40 degrees Celsius, the city’s most vulnerable residents—pregnant women living in slums—are fighting a silent, daily battle for survival. This is not merely a weather report; it is a stark portrait of inequality, health risk, and resilience.
An Early and Relentless Heatwave
April is barely halfway through, yet Delhi has already plunged into an intense struggle with scorching temperatures and heatwaves. On April 19, the afternoon temperature in the capital was recorded between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius. Reports indicate that March 2026 was the fourth hottest March in recorded history, raising serious concerns that the coming months could shatter multiple heat records. This early onset of extreme heat is not just an inconvenience—it is a public health emergency.
Intense sunlight and soaring temperatures bring with them a wave of illnesses and health challenges. While affluent residents retreat to air-conditioned homes and offices, those in slums face conditions that are nothing short of a disaster. For families with pregnant women or sick members, the situation becomes exponentially more dangerous.
A Tale of Two Realities
As the country engages in heated debates over women’s reservation laws and delimitation, a different image of womanhood demands urgent attention. The experience of living under a blazing sun, inside a tin-roofed room that turns into a furnace, while battling heat-induced illnesses, is a reality far removed from the air-conditioned world of white-collar professionals. For the families in Delhi’s slums, this is not a hypothetical scenario—it is their daily life.
Why Extreme Heat Is Particularly Dangerous for Pregnant Women
Health experts emphasize that while temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius are hazardous for everyone, pregnant women face uniquely severe risks. Environmental activist Bharati Chaturvedi explains that the impact of heat is disproportionately higher on women. Data shows that women are 14 times more likely to die from climate-related events, including extreme heat, compared to men.
Speaking to a news agency, Chaturvedi elaborated: “A pregnant woman’s body is already under significant physiological stress. Rising heat increases heart rate, compounding this strain. This can lead to premature delivery, stillbirth, and abnormal blood pressure.”
Furthermore, heat alters the nature of air pollution, increasing ground-level ozone. This makes breathing difficult and adds another layer of risk for expectant mothers, who must simultaneously cope with heat stress and poor air quality.
Voices from the Slums: Three Stories of Struggle
As the capital’s temperature breaches 40 degrees Celsius, pregnant women in slums are facing a daily ordeal. At a time when they are advised to prioritize their health, these women are battling dizziness, sleepless nights, and hypertension.
Rekha’s Sleepless Nights
Rekha, 38 weeks pregnant and living in Sanjay Camp in Southpuri, describes her struggle: “I have great difficulty sleeping at night. The heat and humidity make me so restless that I wake up repeatedly. It’s impossible to lie still. I often feel anxious and have trouble breathing. Visiting a doctor is not easy for us.”
Shabnam’s Constant Discomfort
Shabnam, 29 weeks pregnant and residing in Mini Subhash Camp in Southpuri, shares her experience: “I feel constant restlessness and anxiety. I can barely sleep, especially since my second trimester began. The heat and humidity suddenly spiked last week. Now I frequently suffer from headaches, panic, and shortness of breath.”
Ayesha’s Midnight Ordeal
Ayesha, 28 years old and in her third trimester, echoes similar concerns. “Sleeping between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. is impossible unless the heat subsides. I feel restless and anxious every day,” she says. For these women, the night offers no respite from the oppressive conditions of their homes.
What Health Experts Warn
Medical professionals stress that the risks of extreme heat for pregnant women are far greater than commonly understood. Professor Harshal Ramesh Salve from the Centre for Community Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) warns that symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, and fainting should never be ignored.
“It has become very difficult to predict weather patterns nowadays,” Salve notes. “Heat stress is therefore an even greater concern. We are already seeing very high temperatures early in the summer. Conditions are expected to worsen in May and June.”
Salve also highlights that pregnant women living in slums or working outdoors—in fields or construction sites—often continue working throughout their pregnancies. This constant exposure makes them far more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat.
The Threat to Newborns
Pregnancy is inherently a delicate phase, and extreme heat poses a serious threat to both mother and child. Medical reports indicate that excessive heat during the second trimester can lead to congenital defects in newborns. In later stages of pregnancy, it increases the risk of premature delivery and stillbirth.
These conditions are not merely a consequence of weather; they reveal deep social and economic inequalities. Health experts stress that regular check-ups, iron supplements as prescribed, adequate sleep, constant hydration, and stress management are essential during pregnancy. But the critical question remains: how can pregnant women living in slums, or those who work all day under the sun to survive, follow these guidelines?
The gap between political discourse and ground reality has never been more apparent. While the nation talks about empowering women, the most basic needs of expectant mothers in Delhi’s slums remain unmet. The heatwave is not just a seasonal phenomenon—it is a mirror reflecting the urgent need for equitable healthcare, infrastructure, and social support.
This article is based on medical reports and news agency inputs. All facts and information have been verified by professional journalists. This content is prepared for reader awareness and information. For specific medical advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
