Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Muhammad Al Shaker - Heavy rainstorms since Wednesday morning flooded roads into the holy city of Mecca as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flocked into Mina valley region in preparation to the stand on Mount Arafa tomorrow, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah month of the Islamic calendar.

Heavy rains soaked pilgrims as they performed the pilgrimage rituals, caused flooding in low areas and soaked the grounds of a sprawling tent city that has been set up to house pilgrims.

Digital forecast models of the Jordan Weather site anticipate heavy downpours to continue Thursday throughout Mecca.

Although light showers are uncommon this time of year in the the Hijaz parts of Saudi Arabia, including the holy cities of Mecca and Madina, such heavy rainstorms have not been witnessed during the Hajj season for years.

Heavy rainfall caused major traffic jams causing delays of several hours for people heading into the holy city.

Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense Directorate confirmed that no accidents have been reported and that conditions are under control.

Spokesman Major Abdullah bin Thabet Al-Harthi said that the Civil Defense Directorate has plans ready to deal with threats of flooding, while fully equipped field units of boats and divers have been deployed in dangerous areas.

He added that precautionary plans include 300 buses on stand-by to evacuate pilgrims to safe areas in case of flooding or other potential dangers and stressed that all Civil Defense commands are overseeing the preparedness plan.

Major Al-Harethi confirmed that Civil Defense Air units in Mecca rescued (47) families trapped by the heavy rains that poured on 'Rabegh' province since last night causing floods and water torrents in low areas.

Al Harethi also said that heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms in Mecca and parts of Jeddah, including roads into Mecca, trapped a number of people inside their vehicles before they were rescued by Civil Defense air units.

The Spokesman urged local residents in Mecca and surrounding provinces to take precautions and not leave their homes unless for urgent matters, while urging pilgrims to follow Civil Defense directives and abide by regulations aimed at maintaining the safety and security of over 2.5 million pilgrims that have flocked into the holy city.

More information is available on the Ammon Weather Site http://weather.ammonnews.net/

* AFP photo