MINA: Saudi authorities have intensified heat protection and healthcare measures for pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj season, as temperatures in Makkah and surrounding holy sites are forecast to climb to 47 degrees Celsius, according to SPA reports.
The Saudi Ministry of Health urged pilgrims to regularly use umbrellas as a key preventive measure against heat exhaustion, sunstroke and dehydration during movement between the holy sites.
Health officials said umbrellas provide more than shade, lowering the ambient temperature around pilgrims by up to 10 degrees Celsius and reducing physical strain during the pilgrimage rituals.
The advisory comes as the National Center for Meteorology forecast stable but very hot daytime conditions along routes linking Madinah, Makkah and the holy sites, where massive pilgrim movements are underway before Hajj rituals begin on May 25.
Temperatures are expected to reach 47C in Makkah and 44C in Madinah, with humidity levels of up to 40 percent and dust-stirring winds in exposed areas.
The weather authority urged pilgrims and travelers to inspect their vehicles before travel, follow safety guidelines and drink sufficient fluids to avoid dehydration.
At least 1.6 million pilgrims are expected to gather in Makkah this year, heightening focus on heat mitigation and public safety measures during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
Separately, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance said it had completed accommodation and healthcare preparations for 2,500 pilgrims from 104 countries hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit.
SPA reported that the accommodations in Makkah and the holy sites have been equipped with specialized medical clinics featuring advanced diagnostic and emergency equipment.
The clinics, staffed by qualified medical professionals and operating around the clock, are part of broader services aimed at ensuring pilgrims can perform rituals safely and comfortably.
Saudi authorities have continued to expand heat management, emergency response and medical preparedness efforts in recent years as extreme summer temperatures increasingly coincide with the Hajj season.
