Hong Kong lowers red rainstorm signal to amber as unstable weather persists

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Hong Kong’s weather forecaster cancelled an amber rainstorm signal on Monday morning, 2½ hours after issuing it and warning of “violent gusts”.

The Hong Kong Observatory raised the signal at 6.30am and said that an active southwest monsoon and upper-air disturbances would “persistently” bring heavy showers and squally thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong on Monday and Tuesday.

Parts of Kowloon and the New Territories East were hit the hardest, with more than 60mm of rainfall recorded on Monday morning, according to the forecaster. Rainfall of more than 30mm was observed across many other areas in the city.

The forecaster warned that flash floods were possible, saying the heavy showers might affect some low-lying and poorly drained areas.

It also said that violent gusts might continue to affect the city, calling on members of the public to seek safe shelter if they were staying outdoors.