Latest news with #weatherObservatory
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
Hong Kong battles floods amid heaviest August rainfall since 1884
Hong Kong has been hit with record-breaking rains that have seen schools and courts shuttered, hospitals disrupted, and roads badly flooded. More than 350mm (13.8 inches) of rain had drenched the territory by 2pm (06:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the city's weather authorities said – the highest daily rainfall for August since 1884. The storms follow deadly flash floods in Southern China over the weekend, which left five dead in Guangdong province and prompted a large-scale search operation involving more than 1,300 rescuers. Videos showed water cascading down steep hillsides, breaking into whitewater streams as they rushed down the many staircases linking Hong Kong's multitiered cityscape. Weather authorities extended their highest 'black' rainstorm warning until 5pm local time (09:00 GMT). This was the fourth such warning issued in just eight days, breaking the record for the most frequent issuance of the city's highest weather alert within a single year, according to China's state news agency Xinhua. More than 9,600 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were recorded between 5am (21:00 GMT) and noon, Hong Kong's weather observatory said. The water had risen to ankle height outside Hong Kong's largest hospital, as medical authorities announced they would be closing clinics across the city due to the downpour. Meanwhile, cars were reported submerged in water. The weather service warned on Tuesday afternoon that a 'persistent rainstorm will cause serious road flooding and traffic congestion'. The city's Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan urged the public to stay alert and said employers should consider flexible working arrangements that prioritise employee safety. Airports across the region reported cancellation rates of around 20 percent on Tuesday, according to data from Flightmaster, while speed limits were lowered due to poor visibility. Extreme rainfall and catastrophic flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, pose mounting challenges for both Hong Kong and mainland China. In addition to the deaths and injuries, such floods can displace thousands and threaten billions of dollars in economic losses. Hong Kong typically receives an annual average of 2,200mm (86.6 inches) of rainfall, more than half of which usually falls from June through August.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hong Kong hit by flooding after flurry of rainstorm warnings
Parts of Hong Kong were brought to a standstill by flooding caused by heavy rains on Tuesday, after the highest-tier rainstorm warning was issued for the fourth time in eight days. The financial hub has suspended school classes and opened temporary shelters, and some hospital services have also been affected. The city's weather observatory hoisted the "black" rainstorm warning -- meaning downpours exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour -- late on Monday and again in pre-dawn hours. On Tuesday morning the city's weather observatory warned there could be "severe flooding", adding that hourly rainfall had already exceeded or was expected to exceed 100 millimetres in some regions. Images circulated on social media showed cars nearly submerged at an outdoor parking lot in the eastern Tseung Kwan O district. Emergency room service at the Queen Mary Hospital was affected due to "severe flooding" on some roads, health authorities said. Public transport slowed to a crawl in some districts and a handful of subway station exits have been closed, according to local media. Eighteen cases of flooding have been identified as of Tuesday morning, according to the Drainage Services Department, adding that 11 had been resolved. Neighbouring Chinese tech hub Shenzhen issued the "red" rainstorm warning on Tuesday, the first time since 2018, according to media reports. Tuesday's "black" rainstorm warning in Hong Kong was the fourth in the span of just over a week, beating the previous record of three such warnings in a year. Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions. China is the world's biggest emitter, though it is also a global renewable energy powerhouse aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2060. hol/reb/dhc
France 24
6 days ago
- Climate
- France 24
Hong Kong hit by flooding after flurry of rainstorm warnings
The financial hub has suspended school classes and opened temporary shelters, and some hospital services have also been affected. The city's weather observatory hoisted the "black" rainstorm warning -- meaning downpours exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour -- late on Monday and again in pre-dawn hours. On Tuesday morning the city's weather observatory warned there could be "severe flooding", adding that hourly rainfall had already exceeded or was expected to exceed 100 millimetres in some regions. Images circulated on social media showed cars nearly submerged at an outdoor parking lot in the eastern Tseung Kwan O district. Emergency room service at the Queen Mary Hospital was affected due to "severe flooding" on some roads, health authorities said. Public transport slowed to a crawl in some districts and a handful of subway station exits have been closed, according to local media. Eighteen cases of flooding have been identified as of Tuesday morning, according to the Drainage Services Department, adding that 11 had been resolved. Neighbouring Chinese tech hub Shenzhen issued the "red" rainstorm warning on Tuesday, the first time since 2018, according to media reports. Tuesday's "black" rainstorm warning in Hong Kong was the fourth in the span of just over a week, beating the previous record of three such warnings in a year. Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions. China is the world's biggest emitter, though it is also a global renewable energy powerhouse aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2060.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hong Kong issues highest storm warning as typhoon Wipha approaches
Hong Kong issues highest storm warning as typhoon Wipha approaches (Corrects slug for media clients to 'ASIA-WEATHER/HONGKONG') BEIJING (Reuters) -Hong Kong issued its highest storm warning on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha, packing winds of more than 167 kilometres (103 miles) per hour, brought heavy rain and wind across the territory, forcing the cancellation of more than 200 flights. The city's weather observatory raised its storm signal to No. 10 at 9:20 a.m. (0120 GMT) and said it expected it to remain at that level "for some time". Wipha will skirt around 50 km to the south of the observatory, the warning showed. Hurricane-force wind is affecting the southern part of Hong Kong, the observatory said. Cathay Pacific Airways cancelled all of its flights arriving or departing Hong Kong airport between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. It waived ticket change fees and made arrangements for customers to re-book. Most public transport was suspended on Sunday, including ferries amid high sea swells. Solve the daily Crossword
The Guardian
20-07-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Typhoon Wipha hits Hong Kong bringing on highest storm alert
Hong Kong issued its highest tropical cyclone warning as Typhoon Wipha battered the city, with authorities cancelling school classes and grounding hundreds of flights. Wipha was located around 60km south-east of Hong Kong as of 10am on Sunday, according to the city's weather observatory. Huge waves were spotted off the eastern coast of Hong Kong Island. The observatory issued a T10 hurricane alert, its highest warning, saying 'winds with mean speeds of 118 kilometres per hour or more are expected' and pose 'considerable threat to Hong Kong'. 'Under the influence of its eyewall, hurricane force winds are affecting the southern part of the territory,' the observatory said, warning the public to 'beware of destructive winds'. China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces were also put on high alert, state news agency Xinhua said. The storm, which reached typhoon strength overnight, was headed toward Macau and the neighbouring Chinese city of Zhuhai. It was forecast to make landfall late Sunday and continue moving west, reaching Vietnam later this week. A representative from Hong Kong's airport authority said on Sunday that about 500 flights were cancelled due to weather, while about 400 flights were rescheduled to take off or land later in the day. Hundreds of people sought refuge at government-run temporary shelters. One man sought medical treatment at the emergency room of a public hospital on Sunday morning, with officials receiving more than a dozen reports of fallen trees. Authorities suspended Sunday's classes at all day schools and daycare centres. Local trains offered limited services while operations in open sections were suspended. Wipha brought heavy rains and flooding to the Philippines and two people were reported missing, according to the country's national disaster council. Hong Kong last used the T10 warning signal for Super Typhoon Saola in 2023.
