Saudi Authority Urges Pilgrims to Avoid Direct Sun Exposure
Saudi Arabia’s National Centre of Meteorology has issued guidelines for pilgrims gathered in the kingdom for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which begins Friday amid extreme heat. With temperatures expected to reach 45-48°C in Mecca and Medina, pilgrims are advised to:
– Avoid direct sun exposure, especially between noon and 3 pm
– Stay indoors during strong winds, rainfall, or erratic weather
– Follow weather updates and instructions
To mitigate the heat, authorities have cooled roads and walkways and installed misting fans and umbrellas at holy sites. Over 1.5 million Muslims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, with thousands of medical professionals deployed to provide medical services, including emergency care and sunstroke treatment.
