Muslim pilgrims perform Tawaf ritual as Saudi prepares for hajj

Muslim pilgrims perform Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kaaba, at Mecca's Grand Mosque as Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome more than a million hajj pilgrims amid punishing summer heat that has a deadly history in the holy city. 

Saudi Arabia's hajj minister told on Thursday that efforts to mitigate the searing desert heat remained a top focus among authorities and organisers ahead of this year's pilgrimage. This year, Rabiah said authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks.

Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres thousands more medics will be on hand, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the hajjs.