Hong Kong has issued its fourth Black Rainstorm Warning in just one week, the highest number recorded since records began nearly 30 years ago. Some government services have been temporarily suspended, and commuting has been affected.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued a statement saying that on the morning of the 5th, some areas recorded hourly rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters (severe rainstorm levels), and the Black Rainstorm Warning signal would be maintained until at least 11 a.m.
Previously, the Hong Kong Observatory had also issued a Black Rainstorm Warning on the evening of the 4th, with the warning signal lasting several hours.
The Black Rainstorm Warning signal is the highest level of rain warning in Hong Kong, followed by Red and Yellow signals. According to the Hong Kong Observatory website, this is the first time since records began in 1998 that four Black Rainstorm Warnings have been issued within a single week.
According to Bloomberg, elderly and child-related services in Hong Kong have been closed until the warning signal is lifted. The judiciary announced that all court hearings and tribunal sessions scheduled for Tuesday morning would be postponed. Some MTR exits have also remained closed due to the sustained heavy rain.
Meanwhile, many areas across the city have experienced severe flooding. In Kowloon, several streets have turned into rivers, with vehicles driving through the flooded roads as if they were sailing on land. Some cars have even stalled in the waterlogged streets. In some places, the water is over one foot deep, reaching up to pedestrians' calves.
In addition, a landslide occurred on Tsing Shan Highway in Kwai Chung, New Territories, with large amounts of mud and debris tumbling down the hillside next to a residential complex, covering an area of about 20 meters by 20 meters and blocking access to the car park. Rescue personnel responded to the scene, but fortunately, no one was trapped.