TULUNGAGUNG – More than 1,100 Hajj pilgrims from Tulungagung departed for Saudi Arabia on Sunday as local officials warned them to prepare for extreme weather during the 2026 pilgrimage season.

The Tulungagung administration sent 1,175 prospective pilgrims to Asrama Haji Sukolilo before their flights to the Holy Land. Authorities divided the pilgrims into four flight groups, known locally as kloter 102, 103, 104, and 105.

The first group left Tulungagung at around 4 p.m. on Sunday. The remaining groups followed later that evening. Families and officials gathered to send off the pilgrims before their departure to Surabaya.

Acting Tulungagung Regent Ahmad Baharudin urged pilgrims to stay healthy during the Hajj journey. He said temperatures in Saudi Arabia could become very hot and physically exhausting.

“We ask all pilgrims to maintain their health by eating regularly, drinking enough water, and avoiding unnecessary activities,” Ahmad Baharudin said.

He also encouraged pilgrims to contact group leaders or medical officers if they experience health problems during the pilgrimage.

Suryani, head of the Tulungagung Hajj and Umrah office, said the number of departing pilgrims dropped slightly from the earlier total of 1,178 people.

According to him, three prospective pilgrims canceled their trips because of health problems and a family tragedy. One pilgrim remains in intensive care at a hospital. His wife decided to postpone her pilgrimage to stay with him. Another prospective pilgrim died before departure.

The local Hajj committee also prepared special facilities for elderly pilgrims and those with mobility issues. Organizers provided 12 wheelchairs to support pilgrims during the journey and religious activities.

Officials sent the wheelchairs and pilgrims’ luggage earlier to the Surabaya Hajj dormitory on Saturday to speed up preparations before departure day.

Suryani reminded pilgrims to focus on the mandatory Hajj rituals first. He advised them not to spend too much energy on optional religious activities while in Saudi Arabia.

He said maintaining stamina is important because pilgrims will face long travel schedules, crowded locations, and high temperatures during the Hajj season.

“We hope all pilgrims can complete their Hajj smoothly and return home safely and in good health,” Suryani said.

Indonesia remains one of the world’s largest contributors of Hajj pilgrims each year. Thousands of pilgrims from East Java depart for Saudi Arabia during the annual pilgrimage season.