Highest daily rainfall in August on record causes flooding, landslides and disruption to public services
Record-breaking torrential downpours hit Hong Kong on Tuesday and brought the city to a standstill with its second-longest black rainstorm warning in effect for more than 11 hours, as authorities grappled with floods and ordered classes to be suspended.
The Hong Kong Observatory said it had measured 358.8mm (14.1 inches) of rainfall at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui as of 5pm, the highest daily rainfall in August since records began in 1884.
Residents have had little relief from the wet weather in the past week, with the black rainstorm signal being issued for a fourth time in eight days.
The highest-level rainstorm warning was raised at 5.50am, finally being downgraded to amber 11 hours and 15 minutes later at 5.05pm. All rainstorm signals were cancelled at 6.15pm, before another amber warning was issued at 10.55pm.
