Video Viral: The night of Mecca was once again illuminated with bright light. On the night of 26 August, amid heavy rain and thunder, a powerful lightning was seen hitting the famous Royal Clock Tower of Mecca. This video of lightning falling on the top of the tower quickly went viral on social media.
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This scene was captured on camera by photographer Yusuf Bajjash. At the same time, Saudi astronomer Mulham Hindi also shared pictures and videos of lightning and bad weather in Mecca. Mulham Hindi reported that during August and September, activity of thunderstorms is seen in the areas of Mecca and Western Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera also published a video of this dramatic incident, in which a flash of lightning was seen illuminating the sky of Mecca and then reaching the top of the clock tower.
not the first time
Although this sight surprises the viewers every time, incidents of lightning falling on Mecca Clock Tower have been in the news earlier also. During a strong storm in Mecca in August 2023, there were scenes of lightning around the clock tower and lightning falling on the tower. Later, in September 2023, a video also went viral, in which lightning appeared like branches coming out of the tower.
In August 2024 also, a similar video spread rapidly on social media. In that video, lightning was seen forming a flower-like shape on the top of the tower. That means the recent incident is not an isolated incident. This huge tower has been a part of such dramatic scenes before during severe thunderstorms.
Why does lightning strike the clock tower?
The height of Mecca Royal Clock Tower is about 601 meters. A structure so tall and elevated above surrounding structures can increase the chance of exposure to lightning during thunderstorms. The most important thing is that a special system has been installed in the tower for protection from lightning. According to the official project description of SL Rasch, the architect firm involved in the design of the tower, about 800 fixed lightning conductors and 20 telescopic lightning conductors have been installed in it. This system helps in providing a controlled and safe path for electric current.
Therefore, in videos, lightning is often seen around the highest peak of the tower or the Hilal on top of it. Not a miracle, a combination of nature and engineering. Every time a video of lightning falling on Mecca Clock Tower comes out, people are surprised to see it on social media, but instead of any mysterious incident, the role of strong thunder-flash weather, huge height and modern lightning protection system is behind it. When nature shows its bright form and modern engineering is ready to handle that energy, then such a spectacular and viral sight is created in the sky of Mecca.