Torrential rain deluged Hong Kong on Friday resulting in widespread flooding throughout the densely packed metropolis, submerging streets, buying malls and metro stations, as authorities shut faculties and requested staff to remain at residence.
The Chinese language particular administrative area noticed the very best hourly rainfall since information started 140 years in the past. Cascades of water tumbled down the town’s mountainous terrain as authorities issued landslide danger warnings.
Movies circulating on social media confirmed streets was torrents, whereas one clip confirmed metro staff wading waist deep in a station as they tried to stem the water circulation gushing down from street stage.
The town’s cross-harbour tunnel, one in all important arteries connecting Hong Kong island to Kowloon, was additionally inundated with water, whereas photographs confirmed a waterlogged buying centre within the Chai Wan district.
Hong Kong Observatory reported rainfall of 158.1 millimetres between 11 p.m. HKT on Thursday and midnight on Friday.
The climate bureau issued the very best “black” rainstorm warning and stated greater than 200 mm of rainfall was recorded on Hong Kong’s important island, Kowloon and the northeastern a part of the town’s New Territories since Thursday evening.
The trough of low strain related to the remnant of Hurricane Haikui has introduced torrential rain to the coast of Guangdong since Thursday, the climate bureau stated. Excessive situations are anticipated to final till at the very least midday on Friday.
Hong Kong’s inventory alternate won’t open on Friday morning if the black rainstorm warning continues to be in place at 9 a.m. native time, the alternate stated.
Metropolis chief John Lee stated he was very involved concerning the extreme flooding in most elements of the territory and had instructed all departments to reply with “all-out efforts.”
Some passenger and cargo clearance factors at two border management factors between Hong Kong and neighbouring metropolis Shenzhen have been suspended resulting from flooding, the federal government stated.
Within the metropolis’s Wong Tai Sin district, automobiles have been submerged in water as they tried to drive down a important street.
Hong Kong’s MTR Corp, which operates the town’s rail community, stated at the very least one line was shut whereas others have been working at delayed intervals.
All faculties have been suspended on Friday resulting from “excessive situations attributable to in depth flooding and severe site visitors disruption,” the federal government stated.
It appealed to employers to look at work preparations usually used for the sturdy wind sign No. 8, which brings the town to an efficient standstill with workplaces and shops shut.