Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms swept through Mecca, Saudi Arabia, creating dramatic scenes as Muslim worshippers prayed at the Grand Mosque — home to the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure considered the holiest site in Islam. Saudi authorities responded by issuing flood warnings, urging both residents and visitors to stay away from valleys and low-lying areas prone to flash flooding. The rare severe weather event drew widespread attention given the religious significance of the location and the large number of worshippers present.