Hong Kong's mercury almost at 40 degrees

The Hong Kong Observatory records a maximum temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius, the highest since the city first began keeping records in 1884. Some areas push close to 40 degrees as the territory continues to be affected by the outer subsiding air of Tropical Cyclone Dolphin.

Under the blazing sun, not many people are seen walking outside. For those who are outdoors, most of them have tools to shield against the sunlight, including umbrellas, protective clothing and hats.

But not everyone minds the heat. This beach is busy with swimmers as well as those who simply enjoy the sunny weather.

Resident Wes says "It has been raining all along so this is one of the first sunny weekends. Yeah, gonna enjoy the sun, whatever it takes."

Resident Andy says " I'll go to the library and sit outside because I like it outside. At home I have fans, but I don't take any with me."

On Sunday afternoon, the Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in some districts exceeded 38, including Happy Valley and Wong Tai Sin. In Sheung Shui, the mercury reached 39.8 degrees, breaking the highest record in Hong Kong since the Observatory's commencement of automatic weather station installation in the 1980s.

The Observatory says the outer subsiding air of typhoon Dolphin is bringing extreme heat to Guangdong. At 6pm, Dolphin was centred about 50 kilometres east of Wenzhou, Zhejiang. It will move across the province and toward inland in the next couple of days.

Looking ahead, the Observatory says the blistering heat will continue to affect Hong Kong at least until Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a 60-year-old hiker died after suspected heat stroke. The man was hiking in Tai Po Plover Cove Reservoir before he suddenly collapsed and became unconscious.