(ECNS) -- Hong Kong's fourth black rainstorm warning of 2025 lasted 11 hours and 15 minutes before being lifted at 5:05 p.m. on Aug. 5, as torrential rains triggered by an active southwest monsoon and upper-air disturbances gradually eased, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
During the latest storm, hourly rainfall exceeded 100 mm in many parts of Hong Kong. Tsuen Wan, Tai Po in the New Territories, and parts of northern Hong Kong Island were particularly hard hit. Widespread flooding occurred on several roads, and some areas experienced temporary traffic paralysis.
From midnight to 5 p.m. on Aug. 5, the Hong Kong Observatory recorded a total of 358.8 mm of rainfall, the highest single-day total for August since records began in 1884. Rainfall exceeded 300 mm in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Sai Kung.
A government spokesperson stated Monday that the Drainage Services Department deployed 180 emergency teams, involving around 620 personnel and multiple drainage robots across the city. By 3 p.m. Tuesday, 29 cases of flooding had been reported, with 24 already resolved.
The Fire Services Department reported 42 incidents of people trapped in elevators, 175 automatic fire alarm activations, 36 reports of fallen trees, 7 additional landslide reports, and 69 flooding cases as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Department opened 15 temporary shelters for affected residents.
Despite the severe weather, the Hong Kong stock market continued normal operations under arrangements implemented in 2024, which allow trading to proceed regardless of adverse weather conditions. Tuesday, the Hang Seng Index closed at 24,902.53 points, up 169.08 points, with a total turnover of HK$229.4 billion ($210.09 billion).
With rainfall easing, disrupted public services began to gradually resume following the cancellation of the warning.
(By Gong Weiwei)
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