Hong Kong Grapples with Unprecedented Flash Flooding

Hong Kong, a bustling city of 7.5 million, experienced its worst rainfall since 1884, leading to significant disruptions in daily life. On Friday, flash floods engulfed the city, leading to submerged metro stations and stranding motorists.

The Hong Kong Observatory reported an astonishing 158 millimeters (6.2 inches) of rain between 11 p.m. and midnight on Thursday. Overall, some areas received almost 500 mm (19.7 inches) in a 24-hour span, a figure verified by online weather platform OGimet.

The sheer volume of rain transformed streets into rivers, necessitating emergency rescues for motorists trapped in their vehicles. Images shared across media platforms showcased residents wading through murky waters, and vehicles completely inundated in parking lots.

Surprisingly, this natural calamity struck just days after Typhoon Saola battered the city, marking its most potent typhoon in the past five years. While originally deemed a super typhoon, it weakened upon reaching Hong Kong but still led to significant closures across the city. The aftermath saw 86 individuals injured.

The current rainfall has disrupted the city's renowned financial hub. Morning trading at the stock market was suspended, and all schools were shut down. Businesses were urged to allow non-essential employees to work remotely due to unsafe travel conditions.

Stuart Hargreaves, a local professor, recounted his ordeal, stating he was stranded in his car due to flooded roads. He described scenes of other cars floating nearby and the aftermath filled with landslides, debris, and abandoned vehicles.

By Friday afternoon, the injury count from the deluge stood at 119, with four individuals in critical condition. The government anticipates these extreme weather conditions to linger until at least midnight.

The city’s transportation system took a significant hit. The Mass Transit Railway had to halt services after the Wong Tai Sin district station was inundated. Videos went viral showing workers knee-deep in water, trying to prevent further flooding. While some bus routes managed to resume by the afternoon, many remain non-operational.

Further compounding the city's troubles, authorities had to close multiple roads due to potential landslide risks in the hilly regions. This resulted in the issuance of the highest “black” rainstorm warning, a notice not seen in two years.

The government's concerns don't stop at Hong Kong's borders. The adjacent northern New Territories district was warned of possible flooding as the neighboring city of Shenzhen announced it would release water from a reservoir. Shenzhen itself faced record-breaking rainfalls, with over 469 millimeters recorded in just 13 hours, leading to school closures and suspension of six subway lines.

Hong Kong's recent climatic challenges underscore the broader implications of extreme weather events in densely populated urban areas. The combined threats of typhoons and unprecedented rainfall highlight the need for robust infrastructure and emergency planning in such cities.