Summer Storms Batter Hong Kong with Heaviest Rainfall Since 1884 | WATCH
Historic flooding paralyzes city infrastructure, forces closures, and raises fresh concerns over climate change impact
Unprecedented summer rains battered Hong Kong on Tuesday, unleashing the heaviest August rainfall since record-keeping began in 1884. Over 350 mm of rain had fallen by 2:00 p.m. local time, overwhelming drainage systems and forcing widespread shutdowns across the Chinese-administered territory and surrounding tech hubs in the Pearl River Delta.
Social media videos captured torrents of muddy water cascading down steep hillsides, flooding stairways and streets, and leaving residents scrambling to find dry ground. The city's weather bureau extended its highest rain warning - the "Black Rainstorm Signal" - through 5:00 p.m. amid fears of further flooding.
Floodwaters reached ankle height outside the city's main hospital, prompting the closure of numerous clinics across Hong Kong. Courts and schools were also shut, while portions of the transportation system ground to a halt.
Authorities linked the extreme weather to ongoing climate shifts. Across China, recent weeks have seen fatal floods, mass evacuations, and billions of dollars in damages. Last weekend, flash floods in Guangdong Province claimed five lives, prompting a massive search-and-rescue operation involving over 1,300 personnel. As of Tuesday morning, four rivers in the region remained above warning levels.
Hong Kong’s deluge followed a string of deadly storms throughout southern China, driven by a stalled East Asian monsoon system. On Monday, an unusual tornado touched down in Inner Mongolia, while Beijing braced for yet another round of floods.
Tuesday’s storm marked the fourth time in eight days that Hong Kong issued a "Black Rainstorm Signal," an unprecedented frequency for such a high-level alert in a single year, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.
Airports across the region reported cancellations of about 20% of flights. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge imposed speed limits due to poor visibility, though Hong Kong International Airport maintained operations with some delays. Travelers were advised not to arrive at the airport without confirmed departure times.
To put the event in context, Hong Kong averages about 2,200 mm of annual rainfall, over half of which typically falls between June and August.