Hajj 2025: Pilgrims To Face Extreme Heat

After last year’s record-breaking heat during Hajj, which saw temperatures in Makkah reach a scorching 51.8°C (125°F) and resulted in 1,300 deaths, Saudi Arabia is ramping up preparations for Hajj 2025.

Authorities are focusing on enhanced measures to combat extreme heat and improve safety for the millions of pilgrims expected to participate.

Saudi officials are introducing comprehensive preparations for Hajj 2025 to mitigate heat-related dangers:

1. Cooling Infrastructure: Roads near holy sites are covered with white cooling materials to lower surface temperatures by 20%, and air-conditioned pathways are available at key locations like the Grand Mosque.
2. Heat Relief Stations: Volunteers will continue distributing water, umbrellas, and guidance, while misting systems and mobile cooling units are expected to be expanded.
3. Air-Conditioned Spaces: Pilgrims can access air-conditioned tents and areas near the Kaaba, as well as climate-controlled shopping malls for temporary relief.
4. Emergency Health Facilities: Additional resources are being allocated to handle heat stress cases and ensure timely medical attention.

Veteran advisor Dr. Abderrezak Bouchama emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Air conditioning is the only reliable solution for extreme heat.”

Managing Unauthorized Pilgrims

A significant challenge for 2025 is addressing the influx of unregistered pilgrims, which has strained resources in recent years. The introduction of a general tourism visa in 2019 has made it easier for individuals without permits to enter Saudi Arabia, complicating efforts to regulate access to Makkah.

Saudi authorities are expected to take stricter measures to curb unauthorized entries, including enhanced security at checkpoints. However, logistical challenges in sealing off access points remain. Experts recommend preparing for additional numbers by increasing the availability of cooling and emergency services.

Saudi Arabia’s heat-mitigation efforts for Hajj 2025 are part of a broader strategy to safeguard pilgrims’ health and improve the overall experience. While the Hajj will eventually shift to cooler seasons in the coming decades, climate change poses long-term challenges. A 2019 study published in Geophysical Research Letters warns that heat stress during Hajj will surpass the “extreme danger threshold” in certain years between 2047 and 2086.

Saudi officials are set to reveal their full plans for Hajj 2025 in the coming months. With enhanced cooling technologies, better crowd management, and increased safety measures, the Kingdom aims to ensure a safer and more spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims.

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