Hong Kong's heaviest rain in at least 140 years floods city streets, metro

MTR

08/09/2023 01:07

HONG KONG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Torrential rain deluged
Hong Kong on Friday leading to widespread flooding across the
densely packed city, submerging streets, shopping malls and
metro stations, as authorities shut schools and asked workers to
stay at home.
    The Chinese special administrative region saw the highest
hourly rainfall since records began 140 years ago. 
    Hong Kong Observatory reported rainfall of 158.1 millimetres
(6.2 inches) between 11 p.m. HKT on Thursday and midnight on
Friday (1500 to 1600 GMT on Thursday).
    The weather bureau issued the highest "black" rainstorm
warning and said more than 200 mm of rainfall was recorded on
Hong Kong's main island, Kowloon and the northeastern part of
the city's New Territories since Thursday night. 
    The trough of low pressure associated with the remnant of
Typhoon Haikui has brought torrential rain to the coast of
Guangdong since Thursday, the weather bureau said. Extreme
conditions are expected to last until at least noon on Friday.
    Hong Kong's stock exchange will not open on Friday morning
if the black rainstorm warning is still in place at 9 a.m., the
exchange said.
    City leader John Lee said he was very concerned about the
severe flooding in most parts of the territory and had
instructed all departments to respond with "all-out efforts".
    Videos circulating on social media showed streets turning
into raging rivers, while one clip showed water gushing down an
escalator into a swamped subway station.
    The city's cross harbour tunnel, one of main arteries
connecting Hong Kong island to Kowloon, was also inundated with
water, while photos showed a waterlogged shopping centre in the
Chai Wan district.
    Hong Kong's MTR Corp  0066.HK  which operates the city's
rail network said at least one line was shut while others were
operating at delayed intervals.
    All schools have been suspended on Friday due to "extreme
conditions caused by extensive flooding and serious traffic
disruption," the government said. 
    It appealed to employers to observe work arrangements
normally used for the strong wind signal 8, which brings the
city to an effective standstill with offices and stores shut.

 (Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Jamie Freed)
 ((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3462 7709;))