Hong Kong Observatory cancels amber rainstorm alert

The Hong Kong Observatory has cancelled its amber rainstorm alert, about two and a half hours after issuing the warning on Tuesday morning.

The forecaster earlier raised the warning signal at 11.10am. An amber rainstorm alert means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over the city, exceeding 30mm (1.2 inches) in an hour, and is likely to continue.

“There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. People who are likely to be affected should take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risk posed by the heavy rain and flooding,” the Observatory earlier said, urging residents to stay away from watercourses to avoid potential flash floods.

The forecaster said a trough of low pressure would bring showers and thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong on Tuesday, which would ease off in the middle and latter parts of this week as the trough gradually weakened.