<
https://theconversation.com/more-than-1-300-hajj-pilgrims-died-this-year-when-humidity-and-heat-pushed-past-survivable-limits-its-just-the-start-245271>
"Every year, hundreds of thousands of Muslims undertake the Hajj –the sacred
pilgrimage to Mecca. In 2024, the pilgrimage took place in mid-June, the start
of the Saudi summer.
But this year, more than 1,300 pilgrims never made it home. Lethal heat
combined with humidity proved deadly.
Our new research shows the upper limits of human heat tolerance were breached
for a total of 43 hours over the six days of Hajj. During these periods, heat
and humidity passed beyond the point at which our bodies are able to cool down.
Scientists are increasingly worried about the death toll caused by humid
heatwaves, and how it will escalate in the near-term. This year is now the
hottest year on record, overtaking the previous hottest year of 2023.
So why was the pilgrimage so deadly? And what does it mean for us as the
climate changes?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
