Multiple outlets report that a new study links climate change to rising health risks during the Hajj pilgrimage. The research concludes that extreme heat and humidity during the 2024 Hajj already push human physiological limits, raising concerns about the safety of pilgrims, especially as temperatures and moisture levels intensify. The study is led by Atta Ullah and colleagues from Weather and Climate Services in Islamabad and Climate Analytics in Berlin. According to the findings, the combination of heat and humidity can increase the likelihood of heat-related illness and other stress on the body for large crowds traveling and worshipping in hot conditions.
The sources also emphasize that the level of risk is expected to grow without adaptation measures and broader climate mitigation. They describe the situation as a near-term and longer-term challenge for organizing the pilgrimage safely. Overall, the reporting frames the study as a warning that climate-related extreme conditions are becoming more dangerous for millions attending the world’s largest religious gathering.
