RIYADH (Kashmir English): A private news channel reported on Saturday that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj is saying that temperatures will reach extreme levels (Heatwave)during Hajj 2026, and they will hit as high as 47 degrees Celsius in Makkah on May 25.
Saudi weather authorities also predicted the heat in Madina during the pilgrimage season will hover around 44 degrees Celsius. “Humidity will be around 40 per cent and dusty winds will be experienced in open areas that are visited by pilgrims regularly,” authorities said.
There is also a chance of thunderstorms and precipitation in the mountainous regions of Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, and parts of Makkah. Authorities urged pilgrims to follow safety measures and not over-expose themselves to the heat or the sun’s rays in order to avoid heat-related illnesses during the pilgrimage, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Saudi authorities announced on Friday that the number of foreign pilgrims in the kingdom reached 1.518 million as of Friday afternoon, of which more than 1.457 million have arrived by air.
During this first Friday of Dhu al-Hijjah, millions of Muslims prayed in Masjid al-Haram. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony issued a safety advisory to Pakistani pilgrims who are travelling for Hajj 2026, and it advised them to make sure they have emergency contact numbers for the whole time they are in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry has provided several helplines, including emergency and support services like 911 for emergency and security help, 999 for police and medical emergencies, 997 for ambulance and medical emergencies, 998 for civil defence, 996 for road security, and 937 for health information and complaints.
In 1966 can be contacted by pilgrims for details about Hajj, and there is also a multilingual religious helpline, 8002451000, that operates in 16 languages for fatwa and religious aid.
