Hong Kong lowers black rain signal to amber as classes, flights disrupted

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial.

Hong Kong issued a black rainstorm warning signal on Thursday morning, with several areas flooded and authorities cancelling classes and some flights.

The Hong Kong Observatory replaced the highest-level signal raised at 7.50am with a red one at 11.10am and then amber at 12.10pm.

A No 1 typhoon warning signal that was in effect was also cancelled at 12.20pm as Tropical Storm Podul was moving towards the central part of mainland China and weakening gradually.

An amber warning signal means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30mm in an hour.

“There is an exceptionally severe rainstorm in Central and Western district, and severe rainstorms in Chek Lap Kok of Islands district, Kwai Tsing and Tuen Mun districts. It may cause serious flooding,” the Observatory said, adding hourly rainfall was expected to exceed or had exceeded 100mm.