logo
Black rainstorm warning to stay in force in Hong Kong until 3pm, classes suspended

Black rainstorm warning to stay in force in Hong Kong until 3pm, classes suspended

Read more: https://sc.mp/2c4bc3
The Hong Kong Observatory issued a black rainstorm signal for the second time in six hours on August 5, 2025, as heavy showers drenched the city. It was the fourth black rainstorm signal issued this year, breaking the city's record for the most such warnings issued in a single year. A landslip warning was also issued, with authorities calling on members of the public to stay away from steep slopes and hilly areas. The weather forecaster says the North District, Tai Po and Tsuen Wan have been severely affected, and warned residents to stay away from watercourses. Some exits at several MTR stations, including Wong Tai Sin and Tai Po Market, were temporarily closed due to flooding. In Quarry Bay, flash floods surged down the hillside onto King's Road.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hong Kong Observatory expects showers early next week as tropical cyclone develops
Hong Kong Observatory expects showers early next week as tropical cyclone develops

South China Morning Post

time6 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong Observatory expects showers early next week as tropical cyclone develops

A tropical cyclone in the western North Pacific is developing gradually and moving westwards, with the Hong Kong Observatory expecting showers in the city early next week. The forecaster said on Thursday night that an area of low pressure was bringing unsettled weather to the northern part of Luzon, the Philippines, and was expected to enter the South China Sea in the next couple of days. 'The tropical cyclone over the western North Pacific is expected to move westwards in the next few days and develop gradually. However, there are still uncertainties in its subsequent movement and intensity,' it said, adding that the area of low pressure would bring showers to the city next week. The weather will be mainly fine and very hot across southern China over the coming days, according to the Observatory, while showers are expected to gradually increase along the southern coast in the middle to latter part of next week. Friday's weather will be mainly fine. The minimum temperature in the morning will be around 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit). Conditions are set to be very hot during the day, with a maximum temperature of about 33 degrees in urban areas, and a few degrees higher in the New Territories.

Hong Kong urged to clarify ‘extreme conditions' criteria after record rainfall
Hong Kong urged to clarify ‘extreme conditions' criteria after record rainfall

South China Morning Post

timea day ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong urged to clarify ‘extreme conditions' criteria after record rainfall

The Hong Kong government is under mounting pressure to clarify circumstances that warrant an 'extreme conditions' announcement to prevent residents from commuting to work during hazardous weather, a day after record-breaking downpours wreaked havoc across the city. Advertisement Some lawmakers and labour union leaders called for further clarification on Wednesday after some residents expressed confusion as to whether they should have headed to work during the torrential downpours. The highest-level black rainstorm warning was in effect for more than 11 hours on Tuesday, as the poor weather triggered flash floods and landslides. The government said the declaration of 'extreme conditions' would be considered when a natural disaster brought about extreme and widespread impacts. It gave the examples of large-scale power outages, widespread flooding, severe landslides and serious disruption to public transport services. 'The government will consider making an 'extreme conditions' announcement based on the actual conditions and those affecting the effective resumption of work by residents, the extent and scale of the disruption,' a government spokesman said on Wednesday. Advertisement '[This is] to allow general employees to remain in safe places after the cancellation of the No 8 tropical cyclone warning signal or the black rainstorm warning signal, rather than immediately returning to workplaces.'

2025 black rainstorm may be among Hong Kong's costliest natural disasters for insurance
2025 black rainstorm may be among Hong Kong's costliest natural disasters for insurance

South China Morning Post

timea day ago

  • South China Morning Post

2025 black rainstorm may be among Hong Kong's costliest natural disasters for insurance

This week's record-breaking deluge may rank among Hong Kong's costliest natural disasters for insurers, as the owners of cars and properties started to submit claims for damages caused by 11 hours of the highest category of rainstorm. Advertisement The payouts may top the damages caused by last month's Typhoon Wipha , but will be less than the HK$1.54 billion (US$196.2 million) havoc wrought by the last black rainstorm in September 2023, thanks to the mitigating measures taken by the government and business owners, said Zurich Insurance's Greater China CEO, Eric Hui. 'We received many claims from car owners due to flooding,' Hui said. 'There are also claims from homeowners who suffered losses from the heavy rain.' Hong Kong received 358.8mm (14 inches) of rainfall on Tuesday, the heaviest precipitation in August since the Hong Kong Observatory began keeping records in 1884. The most severe category of rainstorm warning was in place for 11 hours, second only to the one issued on September 7, 2023, which lasted for 16 hours and 35 minutes. Bride's Pool Road connecting Tai Po with the New Territories was damaged by a landslide during the black rainstorm on August 5, 2025. Photo: Handout The downpours triggered 29 floods that were categorised as 'significant' and caused 15 landslides in areas such as Tseung Kwan O, Central, the Western District, and Tai Po, with floodwater-submerged vehicles and damage to shops and property across the city.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store