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A powerful storm hit Mecca on Monday, bringing torrential rains, strong winds and lightning flashes to the heart of Islam's holiest city. The storm, which lasted for several hours, caused destruction in and around the Masjid al-Haram mosque, which houses the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam. Eyewitnesses reported that torrential downpours flooded the mosque courtyard, where millions of pilgrims gather annually to perform rituals related to the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Videos posted on social media show the aftermath of the storm: the wind is blowing through the mosque, knocking over barriers and scattering umbrellas and prayer rugs across the vast open space. The Kaaba itself, which stands in the center of the mosque, remained unscathed. Despite the strength of the storm, the authorities confirmed that no serious structural damage to the sacred building was recorded. Nevertheless, the downpour caused significant flooding in the surrounding areas, creating difficult conditions for those in
