RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia has issued a warning about the extreme heat expected during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, which begins on June 14.
Pilgrims can anticipate average high temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit), the National Meteorology Center announced on June 4.
“The expected climate for Hajj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of 1½ to 2 degrees above normal in Mecca and Medina,” Ayman Ghulam, chief of the National Meteorology Center, told a press conference. The forecast predicts “relative humidity of 25%, rain rates close to zero, and an average maximum temperature of 44 degrees,” he added.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are physically and financially able.
The pilgrimage includes a series of rites performed over four days in Mecca and its surrounding areas in western Saudi Arabia.
Last year, over 1.8 million Muslims participated in the Hajj. Saudi authorities reported more than 2,000 cases of heat stress as temperatures soared to 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit).
Heat stress includes conditions such as heatstroke, exhaustion, cramps, and rashes. The actual number of cases was likely higher, as many sufferers did not seek medical attention.
During the pilgrimage, Muslim pilgrims cast stones at pillars in a ritual known as the stoning of the devil, which marks the final rite of Hajj in Mina, near Mecca.
While 240 deaths were reported by various countries, many of them from Indonesia, the causes of death were not specified. Saudi Arabia did not provide official statistics on fatalities.
In response to the extreme heat, Saudi officials are implementing measures to mitigate its effects, including providing air-conditioned tents and misting systems.
Ghulam emphasized the “need for sufficient quantities of water to cover daily consumption as temperatures rise” and advised that food for pilgrims should be transported in refrigerators to prevent spoilage.
The kingdom continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of the millions of pilgrims who undertake this significant religious journey each year.
