Mashable: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has warned against extreme summer heat for this Hajj season.

According to the Khaleej Times, Saudi Arabia has issued an extreme summer heat warning for the Hajj pilgrimage this year.

On Tuesday, the Kingdom said that pilgrims can expect average high temperatures of 44℃ while performing the Hajj.

“The expected climate for Haj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Makkah and Medinah,” National Meteorology Centre chief Ayman Ghulam said in a press conference.

The forecast shows “relative humidity 25 per cent, rain rates close to zero, average maximum temperature 44℃,” Ayman Ghulam said.

Pilgrims can expect an average temperature of 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) — one and a half to two degrees above normal — during the hajj, Saudi Arabi's national meteorology centre chief said.

The annual pilgrim saw thousands of cases of heat stress last year. pic.twitter.com/8EjRrc3Sg4 — DW News (@dwnews) June 5, 2024

The holy pilgrimage of Hajj which, this year begins on June 14, 2024, is one of the five pillars of Islam. All adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable must undertake the religious activity at least once in their lifetime.

Ghulam also said that there was “a need for sufficient quantities of water to cover daily consumption as temperatures rise”.

The annual Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj involves a series of rites completed over four days in the holy city of Mecca and its surroundings in the west of Saudi Arabia.

Last year Hajj pilgrimage saw thousands of cases of heat stress after temperatures soared to 48℃. As per the official figures, over 1.8 million Muslims took part and more than 2,000 people suffered heat stress, which included heatstroke, cramps, exhaustion, and rashes.

Officials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have taken several steps to try to mitigate the effects of heat, like providing air-conditioned tents, misting systems, and more.