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Denise Tsang

A waterspout was spotted in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour for the first time since records began, the Observatory said on Saturday.
The weather forecaster, which had warned that violent gusts might sweep the city, said the waterspout was seen swirling across the harbour, from east to west, at about 12.30pm.
It was the first time a waterspout – a rapidly rotating column of water – had been reported in the harbour since records began in 1959, the Observatory said.
According to clips circulating online, the waterspout formed in the sea near residential estate Laguna Verde Ocean Vista in Hung Hom. It then grew vertically and moved swiftly to the west. It dwindled and subsequently vanished several minutes after hitting a wall at the outdoor Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool.
Former Observatory chief Lam Chiu-ying, who analysed its path and comments from people fishing in the area, said the waterspout was relatively small.
But he cautioned that it was fortunate parents and children who were at the pool were not at sea as the outcome could have been disastrous.


Dozens of parents and children attending activities at the pool erupted with excitement upon seeing the waterspout drift along the shore.
In clips circulating on social media, onlookers waiting for the ferry at nearby Hung Hom pier were heard gasping and saying “wow, wow” at the sight.
The Observatory said showers and severe thunderstorms associated with an upper-air disturbance affected the eastern part of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon East at 1.10pm, with showers heavier in some areas.

As a gust warning was issued, it cautioned people who were outdoors to seek safe shelter.
According to the Observatory, a waterspout, called a water tornado in Chinese, is a rapidly rotating column containing water droplets, linking the base of a convective cloud and the water surface.
Its wind speed is often slower than that of a tornado that occurs over land.
Recent waterspouts were seen in June at the west of Hong Kong and in April in Cheung Chau.
On Saturday, pictures and video clips went viral on social media and internet users weighed in. Some called the waterspout more entertaining than drone shows while others said it was the best factor to attract tourists.
Former Observatory assistant director Leung Wing-mo urged residents to take safety precautions when waterspouts formed.
“A few years ago in Macau, there was a waterspout with 100km/h wind speed, which caused safety hazards to boats and people outdoors,” he said.
“People should seek shelter indoors.”


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A waterspout is seen over Victoria Harbour. Photo: Government Flying Service

The waterspout sighting sparked a frenzy of excitement among people at Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool. Facebook/Fu Ma

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Visitors along the waterfront at West Kowloon Art Park on a rainy day. Photo: Eugene Lee

The Observatory earlier warned residents to “wait and see” how the second half of the wind season would unfold. Photo: Jelly Tse

Waterspout spotted in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour for first time since records began

Hong Kong Observatory says waterspout seen swirling across the harbour