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HKFP
5 days ago
- Climate
- HKFP
Hong Kong gov't says sudden drain blockages unavoidable after severe flooding during recent rainstorms
The Hong Kong government has said sudden drain blockages during rainstorms 'cannot be eliminated' despite frequent inspections and cleaning. It comes after multiple parts of the city saw floods and torrential rain in recent weeks. The Drainage Services Department confirmed on Thursday that six areas in Hong Kong remained flooded as of 5pm, after the Hong Kong Observatory issued the fifth black rainstorm warning of the year that morning as Tropical Cyclone Podul skirted the city. Heavy rain continued to affect different parts of the territory as the highest rainstorm signal was later lowered to red and then amber that day. The western part of Hong Kong Island was particularly hard-hit by the rainstorm. Among the six flooding reports were areas of Pok Fu Lam Road near Queen Mary Hospital; Pok Fu Lam Road near the University of Hong Kong; and Water Street in Sai Ying Pun. The other flooded areas included Lung Fu Road in Tuen Mun; South Lantau Road near Lai Chi Yuen Village; and Ham Tin Village in Pui O. Heavy downpours thrash city Flooding has become a frequent sight in Hong Kong in recent weeks as heavy downpours hit the city. Last Tuesday, the city's fourth black rainstorm signal of the year was hoisted, 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. According to the Drainage Services Department, Hong Kong is home to around 240 flood-prone locations. The city has adopted a 'three-pronged flood prevention strategy' – intercepting water flow, storing floodwater, and dredging. Acknowledging public concerns over why flooding still occurs during heavy rain, the department said on Thursday that most cases were caused by large amounts of leaves, branches, and debris being washed into roadside gullies and inlets in low-lying areas, resulting in blockages. Rainwater was therefore unable to reach the underground stormwater collection and drainage system, the department said. 'Although relevant departments – including the Drainage Services Department, the Highways Department, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department – conduct frequent inspections and cleaning of roadside gullies and inlets, sudden blockages during rainstorms cannot be eliminated,' a Facebook post by 'Drainy,' managed by the Drainage Services Department, read. The department vowed to maintain 'close communication' with the Observatory and the Highways Department, and to dispatch response teams rapidly in case of flooding emergencies. It also appealed to the public to keep drainage channels clear at all times and not to place objects that could block drain inlets. Earlier this month, Leung Wing-mo, former assistant director of the Observatory, told HKFP that climate change has exacerbated weather fluctuations and that the city can expect more extreme weather. The Hong Kong government was urged to strengthen its policies to tackle the climate crisis following a key advisory ruling by the United Nations' top court last month. The landmark decision ruled that countries are legally bound to reduce their emissions, as well as compensate those affected by the climate crisis. It asserted that there was an 'urgent and existential threat' to humanity, with greenhouse gas emissions 'unequivocally' caused by human activity.
HKFP
05-08-2025
- Climate
- HKFP
More extreme weather expected due to climate change, ex-Observatory official says after week's 4th black rain signal
Hong Kong can expect more extreme weather due to the impact of climate change, a former Observatory official has said, as the city hoisted its fourth black rainstorm signal of the year in a week. Leung Wing-mo, former assistant director of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), said on Tuesday that climate change was bringing more extreme conditions to the city – both very dry and very wet weather. 'By nature, the weather fluctuates,' Leung told HKFP in Cantonese. 'Climate change exacerbates these fluctuations, causing weather to be more unstable and more extreme.' The meteorologist's comments come as heavy rain continued to batter Hong Kong, flooding streets and prompting landslide warnings. The Observatory raised the black rainstorm twice within six hours. It first hoisted the signal at 11.45pm on Monday before lowering it to the red rainstorm warning at 2.10am on Tuesday, then amber at 3am. The red rainstorm warning returned at 5.20am on Tuesday. It was upgraded to the black rainstorm signal half an hour later, before it was lowered more than 11 hours later, at 5.05pm, to amber. According to the Airport Authority, the airport's operations were 'largely normal' under the rainstorm in the morning, with 61 departure flights and 40 arrival flights delayed. The MTR closed multiple exits temporarily on Tuesday, including in Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin, and Wan Chai. The weather is expected to remain 'unsettled' on Wednesday, with heavy showers forecast, the Observatory said. The rain will ease on Thursday, and hot weather should return over the weekend. Flooding According to the HKO, 355.7 millimetres of rain were recorded at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui as of 2pm on Tuesday, already making it the highest daily rainfall in August since records began in 1884. The Drainage Services Department said that as of 1pm, it had handled 25 cases of flooding. They included an outdoor car park in Po Lam where around 20 cars were partially submerged in muddy rainwater, as well as the entrance to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, where flooding prompted the temporary diversion of some patients. Leung, who was the assistant director of the Observatory from 2009 to 2011, said the recent rainstorms were severe, but not the worst the city had seen. He pointed to heavy rains causing the '618 landslide' in mid-June 1972, which killed 138 people in Mid Levels and Sau Mau Ping. More recently, in September 2023, a torrential downpour that flooded subway stations was termed 'once-in-500-years' rainfall and flooding by the authorities. There were at least two casualties and over 140 people injured, according to the Observatory. The rainfall in recent days did not rival those two weather events, Leung said, but he warned that Hong Kong should brace for a higher frequency of extreme weather due to the climate crisis. He said it was important that the different government departments, such as the Drainage Services Department and the Civil Engineering and Development Department, enhance coordination. On an individual level, those who live in areas more prone to floods and landslides, especially near private slopes that are not under the government's purview, should also take steps to protect themselves, Leung added.
RTHK
18-07-2025
- Climate
- RTHK
Standby Signal No 1 issued, T3 expected later today
Standby Signal No 1 issued, T3 expected later today Strong Wind Signal Number 3 is expected to be issued later on Saturday. Image courtesy of the HKO The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Standby Signal No 1 at 2:20 am on Saturday, after Tropical Cyclone Wipha moved to within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong a short while earlier. It said it will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal No 3 during the daytime on Saturday, with Wipha set to strengthen in intensity gradually. "Wipha will be rather close to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Sunday and expected to skirt around 50 kilometres from Hong Kong," the Observatory said. The weather watchdog said the weather will remain hot on Saturday, with strong winds to hit later in the day. It also urged the public to stay away from the shoreline, as thunderstorms and heavy rain will pour over the SAR on Sunday. The observatory will also consider issuing higher typhoon signals if needed. Former HKO assistant director Leung Wing-mo, meanwhile, has warned of the "significant threat" posed by Wipha to Hong Kong. The meteorologist cited data from weather prediction models, saying the storm could directly hit the SAR. "It avoided the land mass of Luzon. In that way, it will preserve its intensity as a severe tropical storm, and then it will start to intensify as soon as it gets into the South China Sea," he said. "By the time it comes closest to Hong Kong, it is already a full-blown typhoon, of typhoon intensity up to a maximum of 140 kilometres per hour. Judging from every aspect of this tropical cyclone, it's going to be a significant threat to Hong Kong."
South China Morning Post
14-04-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Why is Hong Kong suddenly blanketed in haze and how much longer will it last?
A dusty airstream linked to the northeast monsoon left eyes watering and throats sore in Hong Kong on Sunday. Advertisement According to the Observatory, the city experienced its driest April morning since an automatic weather station was set up in 1984, with relative humidity falling to as low as 21 per cent. The Post examines the sudden arrival of severe air pollution and what precautions residents should take to minimise their exposure. Conditions at Shing Mun River in Sha Tin. Photo: Sam Tsang 1. What triggered the haze? Former Observatory assistant director Leung Wing-mo explained that both the low relative humidity and poor air quality were influenced by the weakened northeast monsoon. 'The low relative humidity is likely due to continental airflow and sinking air, similar to the hot and dry conditions before a typhoon, while the poor air quality is due to high levels of both sandstorm-related particulate matter and an unusually high ozone level,' Leung said. He said the surging ozone level was likely caused by stratospheric ozone intrusion. Advertisement 'This occurs when ozone from the layer of the atmosphere about 10km [6.2 miles] to 30km high descends to the ground due to sinking air,' he said. 'Ozone combined with some particulate matter like PM10 and PM2.5 makes the air quality even worse.' The Environmental Protection Department noted the airborne dust primarily consisted of PM10, or larger respirable suspended particulates. The level of PM2.5, the fine suspended particulates that pose a more direct threat to human health, was lower.
