Hong Kong faced its highest-level weather warning on Tuesday as torrential rains and storms battered the city and nearby regions. The black rainstorm alert disrupted hospitals, schools, courts, and transportation, with authorities urging citizens to stay indoors. Streets turned into rivers, and stairways resembled cascading waterfalls due to rapid water flow in the city’s steep terrain.
The Hong Kong Observatory reported over 10,000 lightning strikes between 6:00 and 6:59 a.m., with rainfall peaking at 90mm per hour. The same system also hit Guangdong province, increasing flood risks. With worsening weather, the black alert was extended until at least 3:00 p.m., leading to temporary closures of clinics, courts, and government offices.
Severe flooding reached the largest public hospital, forcing city-wide medical shutdowns. Videos showed powerful water surges rushing down hilly areas. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying extreme weather across China, contributing to fatal floods, displacements, and economic damage worth billions.
This storm followed deadly floods in southern China just days earlier, where five people died in Guangdong. Authorities launched a rescue operation involving over 1,300 responders, and four major rivers were reported at risk of overflowing. Travel chaos also hit, with 20% of flights canceled and speed limits reduced on major bridges due to poor visibility.
Despite the chaos, Hong Kong Disneyland remained open, offering a rare cheerful note. The stock exchange operated normally, sticking to a new policy of trading through extreme weather. However, the judiciary announced courts would remain closed until two hours after the black alert ends. Meanwhile, citizens were advised to avoid travel, as road flooding and traffic jams remained severe.