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HKFP
6 hours ago
- HKFP
Hong Kong lowers black rainstorm warning to amber after hoisting highest-level warning for 5th time this year
Hong Kong has lowered its fifth black rainstorm warning of the year as Tropical Cyclone Podul weakened. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) hoisted the black rainstorm warning at 7.50am on Thursday, as the T1 storm signal was in force. The black rainstorm signal – the city's highest-level rainstorm warning – means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall citywide, exceeding 70 millimetres of rainfall in an hour. It was the fifth time the black rainstorm signal went up since July 29, more than two weeks ago. It was downgraded to the red signal at 11.10am. The Observatory then replaced the red signal with the amber signal at 12.20pm but warned that there was still flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas and that heavy rain may still cause flash floods. The Central and Western District was particularly hard hit on Thursday, with videos and photos circulating online showing flooding on Water Street in Sai Ying Pun and the vicinity of the University of Hong Kong. The Observatory issued a landslip warning for the Southern District, citing particularly heavy rain in the area. It called on people and drivers to pay attention to landslides and stay away from slopes. The Airport Authority said it cancelled five flights scheduled before 2pm, with 145 flights delayed. It also said that the airport would maintain normal operations despite the inclement weather, though apron operations were suspended at one point due to an airport lighting warning signal. Meanwhile, the Education Bureau announced that all classes had been cancelled for the day. Services resume Employees returned to work, and public services gradually resumed on Thursday afternoon, after the signal was downgraded. Hospital services, including specialist outpatient clinics, allied health and other day services would resume within two hours after the black rainstorm warning signal was lowered, with general outpatient clinics resuming service at 2pm, according to the Hospital Authority's statement on Thursday. Immigration services would resume within two hours, according to a statement issued just before noon on Thursday. Services, including childcare centres and after-school care programmes run by the Social Welfare Department, remained open. Transport Department services would also resume within two hours following the cancellation of the black rainstorm warning. Meanwhile, the Judiciary announced that all court and tribunal hearings on Thursday, including a hearing for closing arguments in the national security trial of media tycoon Jimmy Lai, would be postponed. The tropical cyclone's outer rainbands will continue to bring showers and squally thunderstorms to the city, the HKO said. Showers are still expected on Friday, with more sunshine on Saturday. Podul is forecast to dissipate gradually over central China on Friday, according to the Observatory, with showers easing off the coast of Guangdong in the middle of next week. This year's fourth black rainstorm signal was hoisted on Tuesday last week, with the Observatory recording 358.8 millimetres of rainfall at its Tsim Sha Tsui headquarters – the highest daily rainfall in August since records began in 1884.
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Storm Podul: Hong Kong issues black rainstorm signal, warns of flooding
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP's journalism by subscribing . New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong's weather forecaster has issued a black rain warning signal as Tropical Storm Podul skirts the city, with residents being warned of flooding and education authorities cancelling classes of all-day schools. The Hong Kong Observatory raised the signal at 7.50am on Thursday and said it would remain in force at least until 11am. The No 1 typhoon warning signal, meanwhile, is still in effect. 'There is an exceptionally severe rainstorm in Central and Western districts, and severe rainstorm in Chek Lap Kok of Islands district, Kwai Tsing and Tuen Mun districts. It may cause serious flooding,' the Observatory said, adding hourly rainfall was expected to exceed or had exceeded 100mm. Flooding sweeps through Pok Fu Lam Road. Photo: Facebook/ Leo Yeung Flooding swept through the Western district, with some residents spotted knee-deep in water on Connaught Road West.
HKFP
13 hours ago
- HKFP
Tropical Cyclone Podul: Schools cancelled as black rain signal hoisted, residents urged to stay indoors
The black rainstorm signal was raised at 7.50am on Thursday, as Tropical Cyclone Podul closed in. It is the fifth time the signal has been hoisted in over a fortnight. The T1 storm signal has remained in force since Wednesday morning. The black rainstorm warning 'means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue,' according to the Observatory. Classes at whole-day and morning schools are cancelled, the government said in a press release. Care centres, services units and Social Welfare Department units are also closed. The Judiciary suspended morning hearings, including the trial of media tycoon Jimmy Lai. If the black rain signal remains in force at 11am, sessions will be cancelled for the entire day. 'There is severe rainstorm in Southern District,' the weather service said. 'It may cause serious flooding. Members of the public should stay on high alert and take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risk posed by the heavy rain and flooding.' Residents are advised to take shelter in a safe place. The Observatory said that it expects to replace the T1 storm signal with the Strong Monsoon Signal as Podul moves inland: 'Tropical Cyclone Podul will move across inland Guangdong and weaken progressively today. Its associated heavy squally showers and thunderstorms will affect the coastal areas of Guangdong today and tomorrow.' It predicts rain for the coming 10 days. Typhoon Signal 1 The No.1 signal is the 'Standby' signal. It is issued when a tropical cyclone is centred within about 800 kilometres of Hong Kong and may affect the territory. All schools and government services remain open. All public transport remains in service. The government advice is to take the tropical cyclone into account when planning activities and be wary of potential strong winds over offshore waters. Observatory signals currently in force Climate crisis Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
