• Hong Kong issued its highest "black" rainstorm warning multiple times, leading to severe flooding.
• Over 350mm of rain fell, the heaviest for August since 1884, affecting schools, hospitals, and courts.
• Public services were suspended across the city as emergency teams addressed flooding caused by the torrential rains.

Hong Kong has issued multiple black rainstorm warnings as heavy rainfall has paralyzed public services and prompted widespread flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory reported a record-breaking rainfall exceeding 350mm (13.8 inches) on August 5, marking the highest daily rainfall for August since 1884, with the black warning remaining in effect for more than 11 hours, according to SCMP.

The torrential rains, accompanied by over 9,600 lightning strikes, led to severe disruptions across Hong Kong, including the suspension of classes and closure of hospital wards. The flooding was especially pronounced in areas such as Central and Tsuen Wan, where water levels rose significantly, prompting authorities to deploy emergency teams for rescue operations, as highlighted by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Transportation has been severely impacted, with approximately 101 flights delayed and some canceled as airlines contend with the inclement weather. The Education Bureau reported damage at several schools, including flooding and structural issues. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has remained operational despite the storm, a policy change implemented last year, according to Reuters and AA.

In the aftermath, public health services faced disruptions, with numerous outpatient clinics closing temporarily due to flooding near facilities such as Queen Mary Hospital. However, services were set to resume shortly after the cancellation of the rainstorm warning. The Drainage Services Department and emergency teams have been actively working to clear flooded areas and restore normalcy, as noted by India Times and Reuters.

This severe weather event follows deadly flash floods in Guangdong province, where five fatalities were reported over the weekend, intensifying the urgency of Hong Kong’s response to its own flooding crisis. Authorities are now focusing on assessing the impact of climate change and improving emergency preparedness for future weather-related incidents, according to Dawn and SCMP.