Waterspout spotted in Hong Kong waters as city again hit by torrential rain

A waterspout was sighted in Hong Kong waters on Wednesday as the Observatory issued an amber rainstorm warning signal for the second time in two days.

Members of the public reported spotting the weather phenomenon near Kau Yi Chau island west of Victoria Harbour at around 8am – more than four hours after the signal was raised.

“As indicated by our weather radar at that time, the rain was particularly heavy over the region,” the Observatory said in a statement.

Waterspouts are most commonly seen during the rainy season between May and October. The Observatory  said the last one was seen near Shek Pik in October last year.

The torrential downpour disrupted flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport. A total of 97 arrivals and 109 departures were delayed and two arrivals and one departure cancelled between midnight and 2pm yesterday, according to the Airport Authority.

Hongkongers awoke to thunderstorms and lashing rain. The amber alert, issued at 3.35am, indicated that heavy rain exceeding 30mm an hour was expected to fall over Hong Kong. The signal was cancelled at 3.30pm.