Ahead Of The Peak Of The Hajj Season, Asphalt Around The Arafah Namirah Mosque Is Painted To Lower Temperatures

The painting of the road near the Nimrah Mosque. (Source: SPA)

JAKARTA - Saudi Arabian authorities have painted asphalt around the Namirah Mosque, Arafah ahead of the peak of this year's Hajj season to lower the surface temperature, when the air temperature is expected to reach 48 degrees Celsius.

The General Authority of Jalan Raya, Saudi Arabia announced that it has completed asphalt surface painting technology for areas around the Namira Mosque, with the aim of lowering the temperature during Hajj pilgrims during the year of worship in Arafah.

The modern painting technology implemented is expected to be able to provide comfort for the congregation, by increasing the level of climate cooling through white paint which can contribute to lowering the surface temperature by about 20 degrees Celsius, using several locally made materials that have the ability to absorb sunlight.

"The application of technology to reduce the temperature of the asphalt surface, by reflecting sunlight, is carried out in collaboration with a number of participating parties to serve pilgrims, with the aim of contributing to lowering temperature," said a spokesman for the General Authority of Jalan Raya Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, as reported by SPA on June 6.

It is said, in last year's trial conducted in certain areas, such as pedestrian paths to throwing jumrah, where temperatures increased, painting managed to lower the road surface temperature by around 12-15 degrees Celsius.

This year, the experiment was expanded to cover an area around the Nimrah Mosque with an area of about 25 thousand square meters.

He showed that the road cooling mechanism was carried out scientifically by reflecting sunlight and reducing temperature during the day and night. Products used are trying to create a more comfortable and easier environment in pedestrian areas, because of the desire to create a healthier environment and better quality of life.

It is known that the Namirah Mosque is located in Arafah City and can accommodate up to 350 thousand pilgrims when the Hajj season arrives.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian Meteorology Agency has estimated that the average temperature is up to 48 degrees Celsius in Mecca during this month's pilgrimage.

"The climate forecast for this year's hajj is an increase in the average temperature of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Makkah and Medina," said Head of the National Meteorological Center Ayman Ghulam, quoted from The National News.

He said the afternoon temperature could peak at 48 degrees Celsius.

"We estimate relative humidity of 25 percent, and although we expect a low chance of rain for almost all day, there are some estimates of heavy rains in the Taif highlands that may reach the holy places," he said.