With just 72 hours remaining until this year’s Hajj rites begin, authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have urged pilgrims to take preventive measures against high temperatures.

Security forces have also started restricting unauthorized vehicular movements to the Masha’ir, the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, where the pilgrimage will take place.

Pilgrims are expected to head to Mina, also known as Tent City, starting on Sunday, ahead of the start of the five-day spiritual exercise on Monday. This pilgrimage is obligatory for every Muslim who is financially and physically able to undertake it.

Due to the hot weather predicted during this year’s Hajj, Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) issued a warning on Thursday. They indicated that while weather conditions in the corridors leading from Madinah to Makkah and the holy sites are stable, temperatures can reach extremely hot levels during the day. Pilgrims are advised to drink plenty of water to stay safe from the effects of the heat.

According to the Saudi Gazette, the NCM forecasts maximum temperatures to reach 42 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may drop to 22 degrees Celsius.

“Relative humidity is forecast at around 29%, with surface winds expected to become active in some open areas, potentially causing light dust conditions,” the newspaper reported.

It added that, “The National Centre for Meteorology urged travellers and pilgrims to follow preventive guidelines, ensure vehicles are properly prepared before travelling, and drink plenty of fluids to maintain safety during travel to the holy sites.”

NCM Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Ayman Ghulam had on Monday, while on an inspection tour to assess the Centre’s operational readiness for the 2026 Hajj, forecasted that temperatures at the holy sites are expected to reach 47 degrees Celsius, adding that weather conditions in Makkah and the holy sites will be both hot and extremely hot accompanied by strong surface wind that may raise dust and sand, particularly during daytime.

“The NCM Chief said that the period from the Day of Arafat until Dhul Hijjah 13 will experience hot weather under clear to partly cloudy skies, with continued wind causing dust and sand movement,” Saudi Gazette reported.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts by the Saudi Ministry of Interior to ensure smooth traffic flow in the holy sites, facilitate the movement of pilgrims and manage crowds during the Hajj season, Saudi Hajj security forces today began enforcing restrictions and preventing unauthorized vehicles from entering the holy sites ahead of the annual pilgrimage season.

The measure, the ministry informed, would remain in effect until the end of Dhul Hijjah 13, equivalent to May 30.

In another development, the ministry today reiterated the Saudi government’s insistence on no Hajj for any pilgrims with permit.

The Saudi Press Agency reported the ministry to have declared that the insistence was based on the ground of preserving the safety and security of pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj.

The Agency further reported that anyone caught violating the “No permit, no Hajj” directive would face a fine of SAR20,000 ( about N8.15million), immediate deportation and a 10-year ban from re entering the Kingdom.

Nigerian Tribune)