Red rainstorm warning sparks complaints among Hong Kong parents, educators
- Red rainstorm warning issued at 4.25am on Friday, before weather improved several hours later
- Signal prompts Education Bureau to call off school classes after city hit by heavy downpours in early morning.
Several parents and educators have complained about a red rainstorm warning issued by the Hong Kong Observatory on Friday morning, saying the short-lived downpours meant there was no need to suspend classes.
The Observatory’s signal prompted the Education Bureau to call off school classes after some areas of the city were hit by heavy rain early in the morning.
According to the forecaster, a low-pressure trough stretching from southern China to Japan brought unstable weather to the city, including heavy rain and squally thunderstorms.
The Observatory issued a red rainstorm warning signal at 4.25am, which was lowered to amber at 7.05am as the weather improved. The amber warning was cancelled at 7.40am.
“Classes of all AM schools and whole-day schools are suspended today,” the Education Bureau announced at 5.30am
But the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority said the Diploma of Secondary Education exams and other international papers set for the morning would still go ahead.