A “very hot weather” warning has been in place in Hong Kong for two-thirds of the days since July 1, with some of the city’s poorest residents living in subdivided flats at risk of suffering heatstroke as they swelter indoors.
A Post search of the Observatory’s records showed that 28 out of 42 days between July 1 and Sunday were covered by the warning, which is issued when the temperature hits 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit).
Some of those living in the city’s notoriously cramped subdivided homes have borne the brunt of the steamy conditions in both their electricity bills and their health, with a survey finding many have shown symptoms of heatstroke.
One such resident, a 76-year-old surnamed Mok, said he had no choice but to use his air conditioner to stay cool.
“The only way to lower the temperature is to turn on the air conditioner. There’s no other choice but to pay higher bills, there’s no reason not to turn it on when it gets [this] hot. You can only reduce other expenses to pay electricity bills,” he said.
The retiree, who lives in a 50 sq ft subdivided flat on a rooftop in Kwai Chung, said his electricity bill hit HK$480 (US$61) last month, over HK$100 more than the same period last year.
But Mok said he opted to stay at home during the daytime instead of heading to air-conditioned shopping centres, as he was worried about getting hurt outdoors.
Mok took part in a survey conducted last month by two NGOs, the Kwai Chung Subdivided Flats Residents Alliance and CarbonCare InnoLab, which found that those living in subdivided homes in Kwai Chung district suffered under temperatures as much as 6 degrees higher than the average outdoor level.
“Rooftop flats have recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees while those in industrial units recorded 34.5 degrees. It’s very dire. Those aren’t suitable indoor temperatures for humans,” warned Gladys Wong Ching-yan, a senior programme officer from CarbonCare InnoLab.
The survey tracked 30 residents living in subdivided homes in tenement buildings, industrial buildings and rooftops, as well as some in government-funded modular social housing.
The July study ran for three weeks to record the temperature, humidity and apparent temperature – a measure of what it “feels like” – inside their flats without air conditioning being used.
Besides rooftop flats and industrial units, the survey also found that modular social housing recorded a maximum of 35 degrees while general subdivided flats reached a high of 32.2 degrees indoors.
24:45
The grim reality of life in Hong Kong’s ‘coffin homes’ | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo
The grim reality of life in Hong Kong’s ‘coffin homes’ | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo
All mercury readings were higher than the average outdoor temperature during the survey period, which was 30.2 degrees.
Most respondents, or 85.7 per cent, reported experiencing symptoms of heatstroke while at home, with those living in industrial buildings the most likely to be affected.
A packaging worker, who only gave her name as Lucy, has been feeling the effects of staying in an industrial building, where she lives with her husband and seven-year-old daughter in a 200 sq ft subdivided flat.
She said the two windows in her flat did nothing to lower temperatures as they both faced the same side of the building, making it hard to create adequate airflow.
The industrial unit that Lucy calls home exceeded 30 degrees indoors at 5pm, according to the survey.
The mother said she had previously felt the symptoms of heatstroke, such as excessive sweating and heat rashes, but she still limited the family’s use of fans and air conditioning to save money.
She added they used a fan when two people were at home, only turning on the air conditioner when all three were in.
“When my daughter gets off school, I first have her stay on campus to finish some homework, before we go home at 5 or 6pm. Dinner is at 8pm and I have to turn on the air conditioning, otherwise everyone will be grumpy,” Lucy said.
But living conditions could be worse than what a few degrees of difference might suggest.
NGO worker Wong said the highest apparent temperature reached more than 40 degrees in all of the surveyed homes except general subdivided flats, which trailed closely behind with a maximum of 38.27 degrees.
The Observatory called on people to stay alert to heatstroke or discomfort during very hot weather, rest as soon as possible or seek medical advice if symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion developed.
Kenny Tai, a member of the alliance, the other NGO behind the study, urged the government to set out criteria for the minimum standard of subdivided flats to eliminate heat-induced impacts, and also introduce subsidies for tenants’ electricity bills and cooling appliance purchases.
“The situation now is that there isn’t a clear standard for housing. For instance, each residential flat should have sufficient windows, but what defines ‘sufficient’?” he said.
Lawmaker Scott Leung Man-kwong, who is a member of the legislature’s housing panel, said a coming report on the minimum standards for subdivided flats should address construction criteria such as ventilation, but cautioned against creating permanent subsidies for tenants to cope with extreme heat.
“Any subsidy issued should be temporary, or as cash gifts to offer further support. Any long-term subsidy should aim to lift tenants out of subdivided flats – that should be the focus,” he said.
