Abdullahi Usman, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has asked pilgrims to avoid going outdoors between 10am and 4pm as temperatures in Saudi Arabia continue to rise.
On Sunday, the Saudi Arabian government, through its National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), asked pilgrims to take precautions as daytime temperatures were projected to soar between 40°C and 47°C.
The NCM said the forecast showed a challenging weather pattern marked by intense heat, poor visibility, and the likelihood of thunderstorms.
Addressing journalists in Makkah on Monday, the NAHCON chairman said the commission held a meeting with officials from state pilgrims’ boards and agreed that no pilgrim should be outside their tents in Mina or Arafat during the stated hours.
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“Yesterday we called all the stakeholders. We met with them and mandated them to announce and tell their people that nobody is allowed to be out of the tent from 10 a.m. till 4 pm,” he said.
“It is not advisable to go out because the temperature is not normal this year. We also advised them to continue drinking water.
“If it is necessary to be outside, let them go with water in hand. Let them take their umbrellas and use them, just because the temperature is not normal.”
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The NAHCON chairman also asked the media to help the commission to disseminate the information to the pilgrims to adhere to the heatwave warnings.
“So, media, please, you are our eyes; you are our voice to the public. Help us tell our people to regard this instruction,” he added.
As many as 64,188 Nigerians are expected to take part in this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
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