Hajj 2024: Pilgrims Warned of Rising Temperatures
Ayman Ghulam, the chief of the national meteorology centre, stated at a press conference, “The expected climate for Hajj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Mecca and Medina.”
He added that the forecast includes “relative humidity 25 percent, rain rates close to zero, average maximum temperature 44 degrees,” AFP reported on Tuesday.
The Hajj, set to begin on June 14, is a religious duty that must be fulfilled at least once by all Muslims who are able to do so. The pilgrimage involves a series of rituals performed over four days in and around Mecca, located in western Saudi Arabia.
According to official figures, more than 1.8 million Muslims participated in the Hajj last year.
Over 2,000 people experienced heat stress as temperatures rose to 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit), as per Saudi authorities. However, the actual number of heat stress cases, which include heatstroke, exhaustion, cramps, and rashes, is likely much higher, as many affected individuals did not seek treatment at hospitals or clinics.
Read More:
Various countries reported that at least 240 people, many of whom were from Indonesia, passed away during the pilgrimage. The causes of death were not specified, and Saudi Arabia did not release any statistics on fatalities.
In an effort to alleviate the impact of the heat, officials in the kingdom have implemented measures such as providing air-conditioned tents and misting systems.
Ghulam emphasized at Tuesday’s press conference the importance of having “sufficient quantities of water to cover daily consumption as temperatures rise”. He also recommended that food for the pilgrims be transported in refrigerators to prevent spoilage.
Source: Agencies
