Hong Kong cancels amber rainstorm warning on Friday afternoon
- Observatory cancelled warning at 1.10pm, after earlier downgrading it from red rainstorm signal in the morning
The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled an amber rainstorm signal on Friday afternoon, nearly four hours after it first warned of heavy downpours and possible flooding.
The forecaster cancelled the warning at 1.10pm, after earlier downgrading it from a red rainstorm signal in the morning.
It previously said more than 50mm of rainfall had been recorded in many locations across the New Territories, with downpours even reaching 100mm in Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long.
The Education Bureau had also announced the suspension of schools running only afternoon classes, while those operating morning and full-day ones were expected to continue.
The Observatory had also warned of possible flooding in the northern New Territories, notably in Pat Heung and Kam Tin, calling on residents in those areas to take precautions to prevent water damage.
In Tai Po, a Facebook group for local residents shared a photo of a car half submerged in water on a road at around 10.30am.
The forecaster has advised residents to be wary of potential flash floods, urging them to stay away from watercourses and to pay attention to any nearby flood sirens.
It earlier attributed the weather to an active southwesterly airstream that was bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong.
The city was likely to see showers and a few thunderstorms on Saturday, before the unstable weather started to gradually ease early next week, the forecaster said.
Thunder could be heard in the skies above the city’s airport amid a patch of thick rain clouds.
The airport has delayed at least 30 flights since 9am. It has not confirmed whether they were delayed due to the bad weather.
The Ngong Ping 360 cable car attraction on Lantau Island also delayed the launch of a new promotional drive featuring popular Japanese cartoon character Doraemon, adding services would resume when the adverse weather had subsided.
