Today's forecast: 34.7 degrees. No, it's not Hong Kong, it's the UK
The UK is experiencing – or, more accurately, enduring – its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures hitting 34.7 degrees Celsius on Friday. This weekend, it has been as hot as Hong Kong.
Fresh concerns about Britain's ability to cope with the soaring temperatures are being raised, from heat-related deaths to wildfires, water shortages and transport meltdowns.
More than 10,000 people are estimated to have died in the UK as a result of heatwaves between 2020 and 2024.
The Climate Change Committee, which advises the government, warned this year that the country's efforts to adapt to global warming were inadequate and not working.
It recommended setting new targets, improving coordination, adapting policies and stepping up monitoring.
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South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Today's forecast: 34.7 degrees. No, it's not Hong Kong, it's the UK
Among the many challenges facing those of us who have moved from Hong Kong to Britain is adapting to the country's notoriously cold, wet and windy weather. But climate change is making us feel more at home. The UK is experiencing – or, more accurately, enduring – its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures hitting 34.7 degrees Celsius on Friday. This weekend, it has been as hot as Hong Kong. Fresh concerns about Britain's ability to cope with the soaring temperatures are being raised, from heat-related deaths to wildfires, water shortages and transport meltdowns. More than 10,000 people are estimated to have died in the UK as a result of heatwaves between 2020 and 2024. The Climate Change Committee, which advises the government, warned this year that the country's efforts to adapt to global warming were inadequate and not working. It recommended setting new targets, improving coordination, adapting policies and stepping up monitoring.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong probes fatal work incident involving collapsed iron beam during storm
Hong Kong authorities are investigating whether a contractor involved in a fatal work incident took the necessary precautions during a rainstorm, the city's labour minister has said as he urged employers to ensure a safe work environment under adverse weather. Advertisement Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Saturday that contractors must exercise 'extra caution' under poor weather, following an industrial incident two days ago in which a worker was killed by a falling iron beam at a site near the border crossing facilities of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. 'Under the law, employers have a statutory duty to ensure a safe environment for workers to work, especially when the weather is bad,' he said. 'If construction work is required during a red rainstorm warning, extra caution must be exercised and preventive measures must be taken. 'Our investigation will also look in this direction, especially whether the employer took sufficient precautions to ensure that the risk of accidents was minimised.' Advertisement The minister urged employers to take precautions, adding that the Labour Department had clear guidelines and would also step up inspections. An investigation into the fatal incident by the department was under way.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Rain, thunderstorms persist in Hong Kong, but weather to improve next week
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP's journalism by subscribing . New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Rain and thunderstorms will continue to affect Hong Kong on Saturday, the city's forecaster has said, adding that the weather is set to improve early next week. The Hong Kong Observatory said sunny intervals were expected in the afternoon, noting that squally thunderstorms and showers, which would be heavy in some areas, were brought by an active southwest monsoon. 'With an anticyclone aloft strengthening, the weather will improve over the coast of Guangdong early to midweek next week,' it said. 'It will be very hot during the day and there will also be a few showers. The anticyclone aloft is expected to weaken in the latter part of next week.' According to the latest nine-day forecast, there will be a few showers with sunny periods between Sunday and next Wednesday.
