Saudi Arabia mounted the largest cooling and shading operation in the history of the Hajj for the 2026 season, expanding protected areas at Mount Arafat to several times their previous size and layering misting systems, reflective paving, drones and artificial intelligence on top of traditional shade. The goal was to reduce heat stress during a pilgrimage that fell in the searing Saudi summer.
According to Saudi Press Agency reports cited by Gulf News, the works form part of a broad engineering effort rather than a simple expansion of walkways. With more than 1.5 million pilgrims gathering as temperatures climbed toward 45 degrees Celsius, authorities treated heat mitigation as a central safety priority.
Shade Expanded Fivefold at Arafat
The most significant changes came at Arafat, where pilgrims stand in supplication on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the central pillar of the Hajj. Shaded and cooled areas there were expanded to more than 272,000 square metres, roughly five times the footprint in place two years earlier.
The completed second phase of the Arafat project added 18 canopies fitted with 36 misting fans, seven advanced cooling units and 107 misting-fan columns, according to Gulf News. That built on a first phase finished in 2025 that introduced canopies, misting fans and a large number of misting-fan columns. The expansion matters because the standing at Arafat concentrates millions of people in open ground at the hottest point of the day.
Engineering Beyond the Canopies
Away from Arafat, the Kingdom widened shading across high-density pedestrian routes that link the holy sites, installing modern canopies to shield pilgrims from direct sun during long walks between rituals. Authorities also laid specialised reflective paving that absorbs less heat than conventional surfaces, helping lower ground temperatures during peak daytime hours.
High-pressure misting systems were extended across crowded zones, and additional shaded rest areas were created so pilgrims could pause, cool down and recover. Planners increased vegetation cover in congested areas in an effort to reduce ambient temperatures and improve air quality, part of a strategy that treats shade, water and greenery as a single system.
Drones and AI Join the Effort
Technology played a visible role in 2026. Saudi authorities used drones to deliver medical supplies to Hajj clinics as temperatures peaked, with officials saying the system sped up support for pilgrims amid heavy crowds and extreme heat. The approach allowed supplies to bypass road congestion at critical moments.
Authorities also deployed artificial intelligence to analyse footage from thousands of cameras in and around Makkah, monitoring crowd density in real time and alerting operations rooms to abnormal congestion. While crowd management and heat protection are distinct challenges, they overlap closely, since congestion in exposed areas raises the risk of heat exhaustion.
Why It Matters
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the Hajz shifts earlier each year, and it now falls squarely in the hottest months. Extreme heat has been linked to illness among pilgrims in recent seasons, making cooling infrastructure a matter of life and safety rather than comfort alone. Saudi officials have said the combined measures helped reduce heat-related illness during the peak days of the 2026 pilgrimage.
Practical tips for pilgrims: Even with expanded cooling, pilgrims should take personal precautions. Carry a small umbrella for shade, which is permitted, and drink water regularly to avoid dehydration. Use the misting stations and shaded rest areas rather than pushing through fatigue, and schedule strenuous walking for cooler early-morning or evening hours where the rites allow. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and companions, including dizziness, nausea and cramps, and seek a medical point or clinic promptly if they appear.