Update | What a scorcher! Typhoon Soudelor triggers Hong Kong's hottest day in 130 years as pollution levels soar
Many elderly people struggle to cope as city records hottest temperatures in 130 years as three people were sent to hospital with suspected heatstroke and more than 1,500 call for emergency help
The previous hottest days were on August 19, 1900 and August 18, 1990, according to the Hong Kong Observatory, its weather authority.
A spokesman for the Hospital Authority said that as of 5pm on Saturday, three people aged 62, 56 and 53 were admitted to hospital due to suspected heat stroke.
Yesterday was also the hottest recorded start to autumn in the Lunar calendar. As of 4pm, the city's temperatures reached an average 36.2 degrees Celsius. The previous record for the first day of autumn was 34 degrees Celsius, on August 8, 1953.
The air pollution levels recorded were also higher than normal yesterday, according to the Environmental Protection Department. The air quality health index recorded at several stations reached 8 or above at 1pm, jumping into the "very high" health risk category.
The department said the intense sunshine enhanced photochemical smog activities and the formation of ozone, resulting in high pollution. Light winds also hindered the dispersion of pollutants. The department said the pollution would stay higher than normal until showers next week.