Tackling heat needs adequate planning

During this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, over 1,300 pilgrims, including 68 Indians, lost their lives due to severe heat, with temperatures soaring to 52°C from June 14 to 19. Throughout this period, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims, including 1.6 million from abroad, participated in rituals in and around Mecca. Saudi officials reported that 83% of the deceased were pilgrims who did not have proper permits and undertook long journeys without sufficient protection and assistance.