24/7 Space News
WEATHER REPORT
Saudi warns of above-average heat during the hajj
Saudi warns of above-average heat during the hajj
by AFP Staff Writers
Riyadh (AFP) June 4, 2024

Saudi Arabia said Tuesday pilgrims can expect average high temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) during the hajj, which last year saw thousands of cases of heat stress.

"The expected climate for hajj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Mecca and Medina," national meteorology centre chief Ayman Ghulam told a press conference.

The forecast indicates "relative humidity 25 percent, rain rates close to zero, average maximum temperature 44 degrees", he said.

The hajj, which begins on June 14, is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who have the means to do so.

It involves a series of rites completed over four days in Mecca and its surroundings in the west of oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

Last year more than 1.8 million Muslims took part in the hajj, official figures showed.

More than 2,000 people suffered heat stress, according to Saudi authorities, after temperatures soared to 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit).

However the real number of heat stress cases -- which includes heatstroke, exhaustion, cramps and rashes -- was probably far higher, as many sufferers were not admitted to hospitals or clinics.

At least 240 people -- many from Indonesia -- died during the pilgrimage, according to figures announced by various countries which did not specify causes of death.

Saudi Arabia did not provide statistics on fatalities.

Officials in the kingdom take steps to try to mitigate the effects of heat, including providing air-conditioned tents and misting systems.

Ghulam told Tuesday's press conference there was "a need for sufficient quantities of water to cover daily consumption as temperatures rise".

He also said food for pilgrims should be transported in refrigerators so it does not spoil.

Hosting the hajj is a financial boon for Saudi Arabia and a source of legitimacy for the Saudi monarch, whose title includes "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" in Mecca and Medina.

Related Links
Weather News at TerraDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WEATHER REPORT
UN forecasts La Nina could help lower temperatures this year
Geneva (AFP) June 3, 2024
The return of the cooling La Nina weather phenomenon this year should help lower temperatures somewhat after months of global heat records, the United Nations' weather agency said Monday. The impact is likely to be felt in the next few months because the warming El Nino weather pattern - which has helped fuel a spike in global temperatures and extreme weather around the world since mid-2023 - "is showing signs of ending", the UN's World Meteorological Organization said in its latest update. Th ... read more

WEATHER REPORT
Cargo Ship Departs, Two Rockets Near Launch During Busy Day on Station

Russian Progress 88 cargo spacecraft launched to ISS

MDA Space Partners with Starlab Space in Commercial Space Station Venture

French, Belgian astronauts named next Europeans to fly to ISS

WEATHER REPORT
INNOSPACE to Launch Brazilian Satellites and Inertial System on HANBIT-Nano Rocket

German company HyImpulse plans additional South Australia launches

Galactic Energy Completes Second Sea-Based Launch Mission

SpaceX mega rocket Starship's next launch on June 5

WEATHER REPORT
South Korea targets Mars mission with new space centre

Western geologists test instrument for Mars rover mission in search for life

RNA study reveals potential for life in Mars' extreme environments

Redwire to lead Mars imaging study for NASA

WEATHER REPORT
Shenzhou 18 crew conducts first spacewalk

Zebrafish on China's space station reported to be in good condition

China sends experimental satellite into orbit with Long March 4C rocket

International Support for China's Chang'e-6 Lunar Mission

WEATHER REPORT
Starling spacecraft swarm completes primary mission

Sidus Space AI Platform Achieves First Data Transmission from LizzieSat-1

Innovative Startups Join South Australia's Space Ecosystem

AST SpaceMobile and Verizon Plan Nationwide Coverage with Space-Based Cellular Service

WEATHER REPORT
What is the European sovereign cloud?

Australian rare earths firm says data leaked day after Chinese investors blocked

First metal 3D printing performed on ISS

Researchers unveil metamaterial that detects sequence of operations

WEATHER REPORT
Giant viruses discovered on Greenland ice sheet

Starless and forever alone: more 'rogue' planets discovered

Astronomers Discover 15 New Exoplanets and Measure Mass of 126 Others

NASA's TESS Finds Intriguing World Sized Between Earth, Venus

WEATHER REPORT
New Earth-Based Telescope Images of Jupiter's Moon Io Match Spacecraft Quality

Peering into Pluto's hidden ocean

Probing for Rocks in an Ice Giant's Core

NASA's Juno captures detailed images of Europa's surface

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.