8-9-2023 (HONG KONG) Hong Kong experienced torrential rain on Friday, resulting in extensive flooding across the densely populated city. Streets, shopping malls, and metro stations were submerged, leading authorities to take several precautionary measures such as school closures and advising workers to stay home.
This Chinese special administrative region witnessed the highest hourly rainfall in its recorded history, spanning 140 years. Water cascaded down the city’s hilly terrain, prompting authorities to issue warnings about the risk of landslides. Social media circulated videos showing streets transformed into torrents, and one video depicted metro workers wading waist-deep in a station, attempting to control the flow of water from road level.
More from Hong Kong.
Subway’s flooded due to heavy rain, with 150mm of rain in 1 hour.#flooding #hongkong #ExtremeWeather #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/TSO7D0isZt— itsAbby (@_bubblyabby_) September 7, 2023
The city’s critical cross-harbour tunnel, connecting Hong Kong Island to Kowloon, also faced inundation. Photos revealed a waterlogged shopping center in the Chai Wan district. The Hong Kong Observatory reported 158.1 millimeters (6.2 inches) of rainfall between 11 p.m. HKT on Thursday and midnight on Friday (1500 to 1600 GMT on Thursday).
The weather bureau issued the highest-level “black” rainstorm warning and reported over 200 mm of rainfall on Hong Kong’s main island, Kowloon, and the northeastern part of the New Territories since Thursday night.
The trough of low pressure linked to the remnants of Typhoon Haikui brought torrential rain to China’s Guangdong coast since Thursday, according to the weather bureau. Hong Kong’s stock exchange remained closed on Friday morning and would continue to remain shut for the afternoon session if the “black” rainstorm warning persisted by noon.
City leader John Lee expressed deep concern about the widespread flooding and instructed all departments to respond with “all-out efforts.” Due to flooding, some passenger and cargo clearance points at two border control points between Hong Kong and the neighboring city of Shenzhen were suspended.
In Hong Kong’s Wong Tai Sin district, vehicles were submerged as they attempted to navigate a major road. The city’s MTR Corp (0066.HK), which operates the rail network, reported the closure of at least one line, with others operating at delayed intervals.
In Chai Wan, Hong Kong, under the heavy rain of 150 mm in one hour, the streets have turned into raging rivers! pic.twitter.com/nZrG1t8cQG
— Jim yang (@yangyubin1998) September 7, 2023
In response to the “extreme conditions caused by extensive flooding and serious traffic disruption,” the government suspended all schools on Friday. Employers were urged to implement work arrangements typically used for signal 8 typhoons, which lead to the city effectively shutting down, with offices and stores closed.
Ferry operators in Hong Kong serving Macau announced the suspension of several ferry trips to the gambling hub due to widespread flooding in the financial center. Meanwhile, Macau’s weather bureau issued the lowest “yellow” rainstorm warning on Friday, allowing schools and businesses, including casinos, to open as usual.
#BREAKING #China Horrible floods in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. pic.twitter.com/jxZtqfpXLE
— The National Independent (@NationalIndNews) September 7, 2023
