With the pilgrimage still falling in the summer months, Saudi authorities expanded a large network of cooling and shading systems across the holy sites for the 1447 AH Hajj. The measures targeted the corridors and open spaces where pilgrims spend long hours exposed to extreme heat, from the plain of Arafat to the Jamarat bridge.
The scale of the deployment was significant. More than 400 misting and cooling stations were installed across Mina, Arafat, and the area around the Grand Mosque, part of a layered approach combining water, shade, and reflective surfaces to bring down temperatures.
Mist, Shade, and Cooler Ground
At Arafat, where pilgrims gather for the central rite of standing, expansion work added canopies fitted with misting fans, advanced cooling units, and misting-fan columns. Around Jabal Al-Rahmah, a dedicated shading and climate-control project was implemented to ease conditions at one of the most crowded points of the day.
At the Jamarat complex, authorities moved to replace older spray columns with advanced misting fan units, a shift mirrored at other sites where misting columns gave way to fans that distribute fine water spray more effectively. Key ground areas were coated with heat-reflective pavement to lower surface temperatures, and tree planting around ritual sites was expanded to provide natural shade over time.
Hydration infrastructure ran alongside the cooling systems. Chilled water stations connected to tens of thousands of drinking-water taps kept water within reach across the sites, reducing the risk of dehydration that compounds heat illness.
Moving People Out of the Heat
Cooling the environment is only half the answer. Reducing the time pilgrims spend exposed is the other. The dedicated Mashaer metro, an 18-kilometre line running only during Hajj between Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, carried roughly two million pilgrims, shortening journeys that would otherwise be made on foot or by road in peak heat.
A large managed bus fleet operated across Makkah and the holy sites, linked to a central control platform that tracked journeys and managed timing along the main corridors. Faster, organised movement keeps pilgrims out of the sun and lowers the load on medical teams.
Protecting Yourself From the Heat
Infrastructure helps, but pilgrims carry much of the responsibility for their own safety. Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly rather than waiting for thirst, and use the chilled water points across the sites. Seek shade and misting stations during the hottest hours, and avoid walking long distances at midday when possible.
Pilgrims should also use an umbrella, wear light clothing, and recognise the early signs of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, nausea, and a racing pulse. Most heat-related deaths in past seasons involved people walking long distances in the sun without authorisation or shelter. Using the organised transport and following the official schedule is one of the most effective ways to stay safe.