Relief for pilgrims as heavy rain descends on Makkah after extreme heatwave

Amidst the extreme heatwave in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there was a relief on Monday when heavy rainfall was experienced in Makkah and parts of Mina where over 1.8 million persons are performing the pilgrimage exercise. The Kingdom had experienced extreme hot weather in the peak of the Hajj exercise in Mina where pilgrims […]

Amidst the extreme heatwave in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there was a relief on Monday when heavy rainfall was experienced in Makkah and parts of Mina where over 1.8 million persons are performing the pilgrimage exercise.

The Kingdom had experienced extreme hot weather in the peak of the Hajj exercise in Mina where pilgrims are to spend three days performing, on a daily basis, the symbolic devil stoning.

The weather deteriorated with temperatures peaking to 46°C (119°F) in the Mina shade.

The Saudi weather service also reported a record high of 51.8°C (125°F) at the Grand Mosque.

Our correspondent in Makkah reported that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah temporarily stopped pilgrims from proceeding to the Jamarat Bridge for the ritual of throwing stones from 11am to 4pm due to extreme heat having recorded over 2000 cases of heat exhaustion on Sunday.

The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman, issued the directive in a statement on Monday in Mina, Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He said that the measure became necessary to ensure the well-being of pilgrims amidst high temperatures and prevent heat stress.

”Accordingly, the following measures have been implemented: Pilgrims are prohibited from proceeding to the Jamarat Bridge for the ritual of throwing stones from 11am to 4pm.”

But on Monday, there was a relief when heavy rainfall was experienced in Makkah and Mina bringing down the temperature and paving way for many pilgrims to go for their pebbles throwing, a compulsory rite of the Hajj reaffirming the pilgrims’ faith in the oneness of Allah.