Muslim pilgrims gather for prayers at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 18, 2018, ahead of the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP photo)
RIYADH, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Meteorology Authority announced on Sunday of the possibility of floods in Mecca because of medium to heavy thundery rain, Al Akhbariya local TV reported.
The authority forecasted that the unstable weather that covers Mecca, Minna and Arafat would continue this night. The rain occurs while around two million pilgrims are residing in Minna in tents to mark the Day of Tarwiyah ritual.
No warning was issued concerning the safety of pilgrims who will leave for Arafat area by the dawn of Monday.
Al Arabiya local TV's images and videos on social media showed the Kaaba's Kiswa, an embroidered cloth that wraps around Islam's most sacred site, being moved out of place due to the high winds in Mecca on Sunday evening.
Hajj season is being managed in Saudi with tight security and high safety standards to ensure the wellbeing of pilgrims.
