Global warming could soon force people out of Gulf countries like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha

Global warming is not something to be scoffed at because a recent study has shown that rising global temperatures could soon push the sun-baked cities of the Gulf across a threshold of human acceptance. The temperatures would literally be beyond survival limits of humans.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 28 October 2015.

The study carried out by scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Loyola Marymount University has warned that at least five of the region's great metropolises could see summer days that surpass the "human habitability" limit. The heat and humidity would be so high that even the healthiest people could not withstand more than a few hours outdoors.
The report cautions that booming cities such Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha could cross the threshold by the end of the century, if temperatures continue to rise at current rates. The Saudi holy city of Mecca, a destination for millions of Muslim pilgrims every year, is also in the list.
Incidentally, a wet-bulb temperature of 35C is regarded as the survivability limit for healthy people. The wet-bulb temperature is measured by using a thermometer that has its bulb wrapped in cloth that is kept wet.
Climate scientists have indicated that some parts of the Earth could cross the 35C mark in future centuries if global warming continues. However, when the temperatures could rise well beyond 43C in the hottest summer months. That would affect Gulf cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. These cities already suffer from high heat-index values that contribute to high rates of heatstroke among outdoor workers.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)


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Delays in Haramain high-speed rail project connecting Mecca and Medina worries Saudi Arabia

#SaudiArabia #Mecca #Medina #Haramain #Hajj Saudi Arabia has given a "final warning" to the contractors to avoid delays on an $8.2 billion high-speed rail project which Spanish and Saudi firms are helping to build in order to connect the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
This project known as the Haramain High Speed Rail system is meant to transport Muslim pilgrims, apart from regular travelers, a distance of 450 kilometers between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina via the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
The deal had been signed by Saudi Arabia three years ago for a Spanish consortium to build the rail track, supply 35 high-speed trains and handle a 12-year maintenance contract. Other works wet to the Saudi Bin Laden Consortium and Saudi Oger Joint Venture for constructing four stations, while Al-Rajhi Alliance in 2009 won the bid to construct bridges, culverts and similar work.
However, in the course of a two-day inspection tour last week, the kingdom's new Transport Minister Abdullah bin Abdulrahman al-Muqbel felt that work was not progressing as per schedule.
After visiting the Mecca station and bridges along the route, the minister has reportedly asked the contractor to put up an urgent plan within next two months to avoid delays. It necessary, they should explore possibilities of increasing the workforce and supplies.
The minister also threatened that this be considered a final warning either to commit and improve performance or face the consequences. The annual hajj, is to be held in September next year, and it attracts about two million Muslim pilgrims to the Mecca region. The intention of the minister could be to ensure completion of the rail system before the Hajj begins.