Black rainstorm warning to stay in force in Hong Kong until 5pm

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Hong Kong’s weather forecaster issued a black rainstorm signal for a second time in six hours on Tuesday as heavy showers caused flash floods and wrecked havoc across the city, paralysing many public services and prompting authorities to suspend classes.

The Hong Kong Observatory raised the highest-level rainstorm warning at 5.50am and said it would keep it in force until at least 3pm. The previous warning was issued at 11.45pm on Monday.

Flash floods swept through urban areas as the Mid-Levels, Central, Pok Fu Lam, Quarry Bay, Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung, Tseun Wan and Tai Po, with muddy water inundating Queen Mary Hospital, car parks and highways.

A landslip warning was also issued, with the forecaster calling on members of the public to stay away from steep slopes and hilly areas. Violent gusts exceeding 90km/h (56mph) were recorded in Cheung Chau at around 8.35am.