Hong Kong lowers black rainstorm warning to red as Cyclone Podul triggers flooding, landslide alerts

Hong Kong lowered its black rainstorm warning to red late Thursday morning, August 14, after hours of intense rainfall brought by Tropical Cyclone Podul. The black signal, the highest in the city’s system, had been issued at 7:50 a.m., marking the fifth such alert in two weeks.

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) reported rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters per hour in the Central and Western District, with landslide risks identified in the Southern District. “Heavy rain will bring flash floods, and flooding is occurring or is expected to occur in watercourses. People should stay away from watercourses,” the HKO said.

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The black signal is triggered when rainfall exceeds 70 millimeters in an hour across Hong Kong and is likely to continue. The HKO noted the city has recorded a record number of black rainstorm warnings since the system began.

Class cancellations, court disruptions, and transport delays across Hong Kong

In response to the severe weather, the Education Bureau canceled all day classes, while the Judiciary suspended morning hearings and prepared to extend the adjournments if warnings persisted past 11 a.m.

Tropical Cyclone Podul, located about 260 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong at 9:30 a.m., was moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour. The No. 1 typhoon signal remained in place, indicating a tropical cyclone is within 800 kilometers and may affect the territory. “Podul is gradually departing from Hong Kong and weakening. However, under the influence of its intense outer rainbands, locally there are heavy squally showers and severe squally thunderstorms,” the HKO said in a 9:45 a.m. update.

Knee-deep flooding was reported on Connaught Road West, blocking drains and stranding vehicles. Flooding also halted traffic at the Hong Kong Island exit of the Western Harbour Tunnel during the morning commute, worsening citywide transport disruptions.

Hong Kong issues amber rainstorm warning signal amid heavy rain forecast

The Drainage Services Department’s Emergency Control Centre deployed 90 response units to 240 high-risk flood-prone locations across the territory. Crews carried out inspections, cleared blockages, and responded to multiple flooding reports in Central and Western District. No injuries were reported as of 10:30 a.m.