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The Hong Kong Observatory has issued an amber rainstorm warning, urging residents to brace for widespread heavy rain and potential flooding across the city. The warning, issued at 10.05am on Wednesday, came as the forecaster warned that widespread heavy rain could affect Hong Kong within a couple of hours and that intense gusts could continue to affect the city. Residents were advised to stay away from watercourses and take necessary precautions to minimise risks.
Coverage comparison
Reports from the South China Morning Post indicate that the amber rainstorm warning has been issued multiple times across different days. An earlier amber warning was issued at 5.30am on Tuesday, with the Observatory warning of severe downpours and serious flooding expected in Yuen Long, in the northwestern New Territories. Hourly rainfall in that district was expected to exceed, or had already exceeded, 100mm. Another amber warning was issued at 10.20am on Friday, with heavy thundery showers expected to continue until Monday. The warning was issued again at 9.50am on Friday, marking the second amber rainstorm warning that day; an earlier alert had gone out just after midnight and was cancelled at 2.15am.
In a separate development on Monday, the Observatory upgraded an amber warning to red at 8.05am, less than an hour after the amber warning was issued at 7.10am, as areas of "intense thundery showers" affected Hong Kong. Authorities urged schools to implement contingency measures to ensure the safety of students.
Across these reports, the Observatory attributed the unsettled weather to a broad trough of low pressure and an active southerly airstream affecting the coast of Guangdong and the northern part of the South China Sea.
Key claims
According to reporting by the South China Morning Post, the Hong Kong Observatory warned of heavy showers and squally thunderstorms. Between Friday and Saturday evening, authorities received six landslide reports and a report of damage to the facing of a retaining wall. Temperatures were expected to range between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
The Observatory said the amber rainstorm warning means that more than 30mm of rain has fallen in an hour, or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, and is likely to continue. Across many areas on Tuesday morning, more than 30mm of rainfall was recorded, with totals exceeding 70mm in Tsuen Wan. In a separate incident, over 70mm of rainfall was recorded in 24 hours, leading to flash floods in parts of Hong Kong, with videos of flooding going viral on social media.
Intense gusts of about 80km/h were recorded at Tai O at around 9.45am. Heavy thundery showers are expected in Hong Kong on Friday and will continue until Monday. Rainfall exceeded 20mm over the southern part of Lantau Island, while around 10mm of rainfall was brought to the New Territories West and Lantau Island.
The Observatory also issued a special warning for Yuen Long, stating: "There is a severe rainstorm in Yuen Long district. It may cause serious flooding. Members of the public should stay on high alert and take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risks posed by heavy rain and flooding." Residents in the northern New Territories who were likely to be affected were reminded to take precautions to avoid possible flood damage and stay away from watercourses.
Forecasts indicate that flooding is expected in some low-lying and poorly drained areas, and that heavy rain could cause flash floods. The weather is expected to remain unsettled for the rest of the week until early next week. On Monday, more showers were expected with thunderstorms at first, with a few showers in the following couple of days.