Initiative to Reduce Temperatures by 20 Degrees Implemented for Hajj

The Roads General Authority (RGA) has implemented a road cooling initiative that lowers temperatures around Namira Mosque by approximately 20 degrees Celsius. This innovative approach involves coating asphalt with a white, locally-manufactured material that absorbs less sunlight, aiming to offer comfort to pilgrims enduring the intense heat during the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, spokesperson for the RGA, highlighted the collaborative effort with multiple entities to better serve the pilgrims. Last year, a similar cooling technique was applied to pedestrian paths leading to the Jamrat area, and resulted in a temperature reduction of 12 to 15 degrees Celsius. This year's initiative covers an expanded area of 25,000 square metres around Namira Mosque. By reflecting sunlight, this method mitigates the urban heat island effect, which can cause road surfaces to reach temperatures as high as 70 degrees Celsius.