Downpour sparks landslides and floods amid amber warning

More than 100mm of rain drenched Stanley and other parts of Hong Kong yesterday, toppling trees, flooding streets and causing landslides.

The heavy rain triggered an amber rainstorm warning at 7.10am, and 30mm of rainfall had been recorded by 8am. The warning was cancelled just before noon.

Two landslides were reported: a small one at Barker Road on The Peak; and a more serious slip in Sha Tin, which left a gaping 10-metre-by-3-metre hole in a retaining wall. No one was injured in either.

Residents of Sheung Wo Che village in Sha Tin were evacuated after the retaining wall collapsed during the rainstorm. Rescuers deployed a life detector to search for possible victims trapped beneath the mud and rocks, but no one was found.

A landslip warning was in force between 9am and 2pm, spurring the Home Affairs Department's Emergency Co-ordination Centre into action.

A government spokesman said 15 cases of flooding were reported by 2.42pm with affected areas including Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan and Stubbs Road. There were at least 22 reports of toppled trees.

The downpours affected events throughout the city, as outdoor venues were closed and activities cancelled. The 8am flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai was called off. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department also announced the cancellation of the Tom Lee Music Carnival, which was scheduled for yesterday afternoon at the Cultural Centre piazza area in Tsim Sha Tsui.