Saudi Arabia’s Meteorology Authority has announced a possible flood in Mecca. According to Al Akhbariya news, the Meteorology Authority yesterday announced of the possibility of floods in Mecca because of medium to very heavy rain. The authority predicted that the unstable weather that covers Mecca, Minna and Arafat would continue tonight.
The rain predicted while around two million pilgrims are residing in Minna in tents to mark the Day of Tarwiyah ritual. However, no warning was issued concerning the safety of pilgrims who will leave for Arafat area by the dawn today. Hajj season is being managed in Saudi with tight security and high safety standards to ensure the wellbeing of pilgrims
As nearly 2 million pilgrims from around the world braved heavy rain in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to begin the annual Haj ritual, the country’s health minister said there was no sign of any outbreaks of disease.
Worshippers arrived in the Kingdom last week for the five-day ritual – a once-in-a-lifetime religious duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, which retraces the route Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) took 14 centuries ago.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms forced pilgrims to take cover in tents and trudge through puddles, with civil defence warning of possible flooding throughout the evening.
The authorities have been preparing for months to ensure pilgrims’ safety, Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told Media, with more than 30,000 health workers operating 25 hospitals and offering free medical services, including complex procedures such as open heart surgery.
