'There is a lot of hope that we can now see the beginning of a new Syria,' says Pedersen
world4 days ago
Several cars were swept away in floods while Umrah pilgrims braved heavy rain as a storm hit the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The city's municipality had been bracing for the bad weather over the past few days, with emergency teams placed on high alert, according to reports. Fully equipped officers were on stand-by to respond to any untoward incidents.
As thunderstorms hit the holy city of Makkah on Friday, several vehicles piled up on some streets after flash floods washed them away.
Here's a video shared by weather monitoring account Storm AE:
Scenes at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, however, were quite different — with pilgrims welcoming the rain.
For Muslims, a downpour during Umrah or Hajj is considered a blessing and the water that flows through the spout of Kaaba is considered sacred.
Here's a video of the rain at the mosque:
Earlier in the day, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued a weather warning for the holy city of Makkah.
Residents were warned not to leave their homes unless necessary. “People must take care and not approach the sites where rainwater accumulates to ensure their safety,” the city's crisis and disaster management centre said.
Meanwhile, the NCM raised the rain alert level in Jeddah to a warning. Rain hit separate parts of Jeddah as thick clouds covered the sky over the coastal city.
(With inputs from Saudi Press Agency)
ALSO READ:
'There is a lot of hope that we can now see the beginning of a new Syria,' says Pedersen
world4 days ago
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is a virtual version of the collectible card game that has captivated schoolyards since the late 1990s
world4 days ago
The complaint calls for the implementation of the so-called Leahy Law, which the plaintiffs and rights group say Israel has been illegally exempted from
world4 days ago
The bill, already approved in parliament but not yet submitted to the government for final confirmation, has stirred a heated debate in Iran
world4 days ago
Through his efforts, this 22-year-old man showed people that an ordinary person can make a contribution through sheer will and determination, says Canadian government
world4 days ago
Aftershocks shake the island nation overnight; people queue for fuel and essentials; US, Australia and France send aid, rescue teams
world4 days ago
The 53-year-old from Alabama is currently the only living person with an animal organ transplant
world5 days ago
Sara had been subjected to 'acts of extreme cruelty' but Sharif and Batool had not shown 'a shred of remorse', says judge Cavanagh
world5 days ago