HKO issued second Black Rainstorm Warning of the year

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal twice today.

The first remained in force for more than two hours in the afternoon.

The highest rainstorm warning was issued again this evening.

Hardest-hit areas included Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai which were lashed by heavy downpours and flooding.

The Black Rainstorm Warning Signal was issued at 12:55 pm with rainfall reaching nearly 70 mm in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

Long Ping Station in Yuen Long saw floodwater surge near the level of the bridge.

On Tung Tai Street, minibuses had to drive through waterlogged streets.

Cracks emerged on roads in Hung Shui Kiu with some neighbourhoods affected by inundation.

Residents had to wade through calf-deep water.

And cars had to be driven more cautiously.

Precarious sights too in Tuen Mun including this village Tseng Tau Tsuen.

This drenched mall -- turned into a swimming pool with cycling tracks and private cars submerged.

After the second Black Rainstorm Warning Signal of the year was issued, many students rushed home as the Education Bureau announced suspension of afternoon classes.

Schools were required to remain open and implement contingency measures to care for students already on campus and could not leave.

Earlier, an Amber Rainstorm Warning was issued at 5:40 am and cancelled after nearly four hours in effect.

Another band of thunderstorms approached Hong Kong, prompting a second Amber warning at 11:15 am, followed by a Red Rainstorm Warning at 12:10 pm before being upgraded to the Black Signal 45 minutes later.

At 3:05 pm, the warning was downgraded to Red.

The Observatory forecast occasional heavy showers and squally thunderstorms throughout the day with bouts of intense rain at first.

LAM HOK-YIN, Ag. Sr. Scientific Officer, HKO: "Areas of intense thundery showers associated with an active southerly airstream are affecting the coast of Guangdong. Locally, intense rainbands are affecting the urban areas and the eastern part of the territory. Locally, there has been heavy rain in the past couple of hours. Showers were heavier in the western and northern parts of the territory with more than 100 mm of rainfall recorded."

Looking ahead, showers will linger on over the Dragon Boat Festival tomorrow, with sunny intervals in the afternoon.

From the weekend to early next week, the weather will be generally fine with some sweltering days on the way.