Anomalous heat awaits pilgrims in Mecca: warning from Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has warned pilgrims that the average high temperature in Mecca could reach 44 degrees during the Hajj this month . During last year's Hajj season, more than 2,000 pilgrims suffered from heat stroke.

"The climate expected for this year's Hajj is characterized by an increase in the average temperature in Mecca and Medina by one and a half to two degrees above normal," Ayman Ghulam, head of the National Meteorological Center, said at a press conference held on June 4.

He said that the relative humidity of the air is 25 percent , the probability of precipitation is close to zero and the average maximum temperature can reach 44 degrees .

The pilgrimage, which begins on June 14, is one of the five pillars of Islam , and all Muslims who have the opportunity must perform it at least once in their lifetime.

More than 1.8 million Muslims performed the hajj last year, during which more than 2,000 people suffered from heat stress as temperatures soared to 48 degrees , according to Saudi officials.

However, most of the victims were not admitted to the hospital or went to hospitals , so they suffered from heat stroke, fatigue, fainting. and the number who experienced heat stress symptoms such as rash was actually much higher.

This year's Hajj is expected to be the last official summer Hajj in Saudi Arabia, as the annual pilgrimage begins about two weeks earlier each year in the Hijri lunar calendar and falls on spring days in subsequent years.