Saudi Arabia Issues Heatwave Precautions for Over One Million Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Arabian authorities have issued a series of safety guidelines and heatwave warnings for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in response to extreme temperatures reaching up to 47°C and harsh weather conditions. Pilgrims are advised to stay in their tents during peak heat hours between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., avoid visits to certain sites like Jabal Noor and Jabal Al-Rahmah, and use only authorized transportation between key locations to reduce health risks. The National Centre of Meteorology forecasts additional challenges including potential thunderstorms, dust storms from strong winds, and fluctuating humidity, urging pilgrims to stay hydrated and use protective gear. To enhance comfort, Saudi Arabia has installed thousands of air conditioning units, mist fans, ventilation fans, and fragrance diffusers, and opened cooled pedestrian walkways as part of the “Cooled Roads Initiative.” Security measures have been heightened, with pilgrims instructed to report suspicious persons and strictly follow scheduled ritual timings. These combined efforts aim to safeguard the wellbeing of millions of pilgrims during this critical phase of the Hajj amid severe weather conditions.