Pilgrim’s stranded in Saudi Arabia Floods.
At least 48 people have died in the heaviest flooding to hit Saudi Arabia in years. The continued torrential rain has coincided with the start of the annual Hajj – the pilgrimage of nearly 2 million Muslims to Mecca and Medina, Islam’s holiest cities. But the worst floods were in the port city of Jeddah, where 76mm of rain has fallen. The annual average rainfall in Jeddah is only about 55mm, with 12mm being the November average. Most of those who died were drowned, or they were killed by collapsing bridges or in car crashes. Authorities say at least 900 people had to be rescued after being stranded in the floodwaters. The floods also forced the closure of a highway to Mecca, stranding many pilgrims who were unable to reach the holy city.