Flash floods across Hong Kong as residents wake up to downpour
- Observatory issues red signal for heavy rain at 7.30am, downgrading it to a yellow one at around 11am
- Thunderstorms are expected on Monday morning, but the weather is likely to improve in next few days
Hongkongers woke to heavy downpour on Sunday with flash floods reported across the city as a red rainstorm signal was issued.
There was flooding in Tai Po, and the section from Tolo Highway to Tai Po Kau near and around Chung Tsai Yuen is now fully closed.
The red rainstorm signal issued at 7.30am means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 50mm in an hour, and is likely to continue, a spokesman for the Observatory said. At around 11am, the signal was downgraded to a yellow one.
A thunderstorm warning issued at 2.20am will remain in force until noon.
It followed a Saturday with flooding and landslides reported in multiple districts as Hong Kong saw the first black rainstorm signal issued this year. The warning was in place from 2.55am to 5.40am. More than 10,000 lightning flashes were recorded, and the Drainage Services Department received 24 flooding reports. Some residents in the New Territories needed to be rescued by fire services.
On Sunday morning, heavy downpour continued, with red flags raised at multiple beaches, including Shek O, Pui O, Stanley and Hap Mun Bay. Due to big waves and stormy weather, residents are advised not to swim at the beaches.