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Authorities in Mecca ordered schools closed on Wednesday after torrential rain lashed parts of Saudi Arabia, with videos posted on social media showing pilgrims taking shelter from a severe thunderstorm at night. “Heavy rain fell on Tuesday night, accompanied by thunderstorms, in parts of Mecca's Al-Mukarrama neighborhoods,“ the Saudi Press Agency reported. Education officials said schools would be closed on Wednesday due to the unstable weather . The National Meteorology Center said it expects “moderate to severe thunderstorms to continue, bringing heavy rain accompanied by downpours with hail and strong winds that kick up dust and sand, limiting horizontal visibility in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah and Medina regions.“ Videos posted on social media show pilgrims struggling to get around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque amid strong winds, with some having to dodge separation barriers that have been blown around by the wind. One widely circulate
