Hong Kong is grappling with unprecedented rainfall that has triggered severe flooding, causing widespread disruptions across the city. Record-breaking rainfall, the heaviest in an hour since records began in 1884, has left streets resembling rivers and forced the closure of schools and businesses.
The Hong Kong Observatory reported an astounding 158.1mm (6.2 inches) of rainfall between 11 pm on Thursday and midnight. This deluge prompted the issuance of a black rainstorm warning, the first in nearly two years, which is expected to remain in place until midnight on Friday.
Parts of Hong Kong, including the main island, Kowloon, and the northeastern New Territories, have received more than 200mm (7.9 inches) of rain since Thursday night. Residents have been urged to exercise caution as heavy rain may lead to flash floods. Those living near rivers have been advised to stay alert and consider evacuation if their homes become flooded.
As torrential rain inundated the city, streets, shopping centers, and metro stations were submerged, leading authorities to close schools and encourage employees to work from home. Videos circulating on social media depicted motorists navigating through severely flooded streets and one distressing clip showed a woman helplessly swept away by the rushing water.
Metro workers were seen wading through waist-deep water as they attempted to mitigate the flow cascading down escalators and staircases into the station. The situation became increasingly dire with roads collapsing, vehicles trapped in deep holes, and landslides blocking various routes.
In response to the crisis, Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, expressed deep concern and directed all departments to mobilize their resources to address the flooding. All schools in the city were suspended due to the extreme conditions caused by the extensive flooding and traffic disruptions.
The Hong Kong stock exchange also experienced repercussions from the relentless rain, as it did not open for morning trading on Friday. It announced that it would remain closed in the afternoon if the black rainstorm warning persisted.
Meteorologists attribute this extraordinary rainfall to a “trough of low pressure” associated with the remnants of Typhoon Haikui, which recently swept through Taiwan and southern China’s Fujian province. The impact of this weather event underscores the vulnerability of coastal cities to extreme weather conditions and the importance of preparedness in the face of such challenges.
