Latest news with #HongKongObservatory
Hans India
an hour ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Hong Kong issues 1st black rainstorm warning of year
Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Observatory issued on Tuesday morning its first black rainstorm warning signal of the year, which remains in effect as of the time of this report. The black rainstorm warning signal indicates that widespread areas of Hong Kong have recorded or are expected to experience rainfall exceeding 70 mm per hour, with the heavy downpour likely to continue. The Observatory noted that the strong thunderstorm activity associated with an extensive low-pressure trough has resulted in particularly intense rainfall on Lamma Island, where hourly precipitation has surpassed 100 mm. Following the issuance of the signal, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government activated its Emergency Coordination Centre under the Home Affairs Department. The department will open temporary shelter centres for individuals in need of emergency accommodation. The Education Bureau has advised schools to implement contingency measures to ensure the safety of students. The Hospital Authority in Hong Kong announced that its general outpatient clinics, specialist outpatient clinics, including allied health services, geriatric day hospitals and psychiatric day hospitals will close. However, service would be provided to patients who are now at the clinics. Accident and emergency services at public hospitals remain normal, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on July 20, the Hong Kong Observatory had issued hurricane signal No. 10, the top level warning, under the effect of typhoon Wipha. This means that winds with speeds of 118 km per hour or more were expected. Due to the storm, many public services and activities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been suspended. A significant number of flights were also cancelled or rescheduled. The Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR government had opened temporary shelters for needy people. People had been urged to stay away from the shoreline during inclement weather. The previous typhoon signal No. 10 was issued under the effect of super typhoon Saola in September 2023.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong issues first black rainstorm warning of year as heavy downpours hit city
Read more: Hong Kong's weather forecaster has issued its first black rainstorm warning of the year as heavy rain hit the city. Showers were particularly heavy on Lamma Island, with severe rainstorms of more than 100mm (4 inches) of hourly rainfall being recorded, the Hong Kong Observatory said. The forecaster called on the public to avoid travelling until the black rainstorm signal was no longer in force and traffic conditions improved. It also warned that heavy rain might bring about flash floods.
Time Out
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Time Out
The first Black Rainstorm of the year pelts Hong Kong, with rain expected until next week
Hong Kong woke up this morning on July 29 to find dark skies and extremely rainy weather. After rainfall steadily worsened, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal at 9.10am, which later got lowered to the Red Rainstorm Warning at 11.05am. A broad trough of low pressure is the culprit bringing showers and thunderstorms to the coast of southern China today and tomorrow. As of 10am today, the tropical cyclone Co-May was also centred around 390 km east of Wenzhou, edging closer to the coast of eastern China as it moves across the East China Sea today and tomorrow. The weather for the rest of today will mainly be cloudy with showers and squally thunderstorms, with occasional showers and thunderstorms carrying over into tomorrow. In fact, according to the HKO forecast, there will be rain every day until next Wednesday, with the finest weather on this Thursday and Friday, July 31 and August 1, expected to bring sunny intervals between showers and thunderstorms. What is a Black Rainstorm? A Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued when heavy rain exceeding 70 ml in an hour is falling or is expected to fall over Hong Kong. As of 10.50am today, more than 100 ml of hourly rainfall has been recorded, which means this is a severe rainstorm. The HKO warns that the rain is particularly heavy in the Eastern and Southern districts, where there is an increased risk of landslides. Does this mean we don't have to go to work or school? In general, if a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is issued early enough in the morning, then we don't have to physically go in to work or school. However, since most students would already have arrived at school or at least enroute by the time the signal was issued this morning, they will have to stay where they are for safety reasons. The same goes for office workers; employers should not require their employees to travel to work during Black Rainstorm conditions. If, however, you are already in office by that point, then you shouldn't attempt to leave and return home. Employees working outdoors in exposed areas should stop work and seek shelter indoors. Keep an eye on the weather at the HKO website.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
First black rainstorm warning of year issued as heavy showers drench Hong Kong
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. Advertisement Hong Kong's weather forecaster has issued its first black rainstorm warning of the year as heavy downpours hit the city. The Hong Kong Observatory raised the signal at 9.10am on Tuesday, replacing a red warning that was put up half an hour earlier. It first issued an amber warning at 8.05am. It said that showers associated with a broad trough of low pressure were affecting the coast of Guangdong. The MTR Corp has closed exit B3 of Wong Tai Sin station due to the heavy rain. Photo: Eugene Lee Showers were particularly heavy on Lamma Island and the Southern district, with hourly rainfall exceeding 100mm (4 inches), the Observatory said. Over in Sai Kung, more than 70mm of hourly rainfall had also fallen or were expected to fall.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Amber rainstorm warning issued as heavy downpours to hit Hong Kong ‘shortly'
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. Advertisement Hong Kong's weather forecaster has issued an amber rainstorm warning, saying that widespread heavy downpours are expected to hit the city 'shortly'. The Hong Kong Observatory put up the signal at 8.05am on Tuesday, as showers associated with a broad trough of low pressure were affecting the coast of Guangdong. Showers were particularly strong over the eastern part of Hong Kong Island and parts of Lantau Island on Tuesday morning, bringing over 20mm of rainfall to the area. More to follow... Advertisement
