Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, has been marked by tragedy as the death toll exceeds 1,000 due to intense heat, according to AFP.
The extreme heat, a direct consequence of climate change, has significantly contributed to the high number of fatalities, highlighting the growing threat of global warming.
Among the deceased, 90 were from India, underscoring the widespread impact of the heatwave on international participants.
The Hajj’s timing, determined by the lunar calendar, shifts back by 10 days annually. Currently moving towards winter months, experts warn that by the 2040s, it will coincide with the peak summer in Saudi Arabia.
Heat-related deaths during Hajj are not new, with records dating back to the 1400s. However, climate scientists like Fahad Saeed predict worsening conditions as global temperatures rise.
A 2021 study by Saeed and Carl-Friedrich Schleussner found that if global temperatures increase by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the risk of heat stroke for Hajj pilgrims will rise fivefold. The world is on track to reach this level by the 2030s.
Pilgrims are increasingly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to factors like lack of acclimatization, intense physical exertion, exposure to high temperatures, and an aging population. Over 2,000 people suffered from heat stress last year alone.
Despite efforts by Saudi Arabia to mitigate the heat’s impact, such as creating shaded areas and improving healthcare, these measures have proven inadequate. The rising death toll highlights the urgent need for global action to address climate change and protect vulnerable populations.