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

MTR

08/09/2023 02:19

(Adds details from government, colour on rainfall in paragraphs
2-4, 8,10)
       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. Cascades of
water tumbled down the city's mountainous terrain as authorities
issued landslide risk warnings.
    Streets turned into torrents, videos circulating on social
media showed, while one clip showed metro workers wading waist
deep in a station as they tried to stem the water flow gushing
down from road level.    
    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 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
China's 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
and will remain shut for the afternoon session if the "black"
rainstorm warning remains in place by noon, 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".
    Some passenger and cargo clearance points at two border
control points between Hong Kong and neighbouring city Shenzhen
were suspended due to flooding, the government said.
    In the city's Wong Tai Sin district, vehicles were submerged
in water as they tried to drive down a main road.
    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 and Michael
Perry)
 ((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3462 7709;))