On front line of climate change, Hong Kong must take bold steps now
On August 5, I watched from my window as the city was engulfed by a
black rainstorm . It wasn't just heavy rain, it was historic. The Hong Kong Observatory recorded the
highest daily rainfall for August since records began in 1884. That day marked the fourth black rain warning in just eight days, setting a record for the
most top-level alerts in a single year.
As a climate scientist, I knew the numbers were extraordinary. But as a resident, I experienced flooded streets, disrupted transport and a city brought to its knees by water.
In July,
Typhoon Wipha swept through with fierce winds and torrential rain. It was the first time the No 10 warning signal, Hong Kong's highest storm warning, had been raised since
Typhoon Saola in September 2023. I remember standing in my hallway, listening to the wind howl through my house, wondering how people here have adapted to such powerful forces of nature. It was both humbling and unsettling.
Just before that, June came with its
record-breaking heatwave . On June 10, the temperature soared to 35.6 degrees Celsius, matching the highest ever recorded for that month. The heat was oppressive, the humidity suffocating. I found myself constantly checking the Observatory's updates, not just out of professional curiosity, but out of genuine concern for my own well-being and that of my colleagues and students.
These weren't just weather events, they were climate signals, loud and clear. Experiencing them first-hand has deepened my sense of urgency. Hong Kong is not just a city of skyscrapers and harbours – it's on the front line of climate change.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
HKFP
7 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.
RTHK
10 hours ago
- RTHK
Heavy rain expected to persist: HK Observatory
Heavy rain expected to persist: HK Observatory Authorities have deployed water-pumping machines across Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of the Drainage Services Department The Hong Kong Observatory has cautioned against flooding triggered by torrential downpours as it lowered the Black Rainstorm Warning signal on Thursday. The Red Rainstorm Warning Signal was issued at 11.10am to replace the city's fifth black alert of the year, which lasted for more than three hours. The signal was further lowered to amber at 12.10am. Flooding swept through parts of the city when the black rain signal was in force, with online footage showing water gushing up to the road from a gutter on Water Street in Sai Ying Pun. Meanwhile, the water level on Pok Fu Lam Road was as high as 200 millimetres at one point. The Drainage Services Department said there were six water pumping robots in use, including three newly acquired machines. Five cases of flooding were received as of 10.30am. The Airport Authority said of the flights scheduled before 2pm, five had been cancelled and another 145 delayed. It also said operations on the apron were temporarily suspended when the airport-specific Red Lightning Warning was in force. The Standby Signal No. 1, meanwhile, was cancelled at 12.20pm as Tropical Storm Podul moves further away from the territory. _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-08-14 HKT 12:20
RTHK
11 hours ago
- RTHK
Heavy rain expected to persist: HK Observatory
Heavy rain expected to persist: HK Observatory Authorities have deployed water-pumping machines across Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of the Drainage Services Department The Hong Kong Observatory has cautioned against flooding triggered by torrential downpours as it lowered the Black Rainstorm Warning signal on Thursday. The Red Rainstorm Warning Signal was issued at 11.10am to replace the city's fifth black alert of the year, which lasted for more than three hours. The signal was further lowered to amber at 12.10am. Flooding swept through parts of the city when the black rain signal was in force, with online footage showing water gushing up to the road from a gutter on Water Street in Sai Ying Pun. Meanwhile, the water level on Pok Fu Lam Road was as high as 200 millimetres at one point. The Drainage Services Department said there were six water pumping robots in use, including three newly acquired machines. Five cases of flooding were received as of 10.30am. The Airport Authority said of the flights scheduled before 2pm, five had been cancelled and another 145 delayed. It also said operations at the airport ramp were temporarily suspended when it issued the Red Lightning Warning. The Standby Signal No. 1, meanwhile, will be cancelled at 12.20pm as Tropical Storm Podul moves further away from the territory.
