April 29, 2024

Balkan Travellers

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Heavy rains in Hong Kong turn the city’s streets into raging rivers

Hong Kong It experienced the most rain in a single hour since records began 140 years ago, triggering flash floods that turned streets into raging rivers that seemed more suited to whitewater rafting than city living.

Hong Kong’s meteorological authorities issued a black alert, an alert that more than 70 millimeters (2.75 inches) of rain is expected to fall within an hour, at 11:05 pm on Thursday.

More than twice that amount fell – the Hong Kong Observatory said 158.1 mm (6.2 inches) of rain fell on its headquarters between 11pm and midnight. According to the South China Morning Post.

In other parts of Hong Kong – Kowloon, the Northeast New Territories and Hong Kong Island – more than 200 mm (7.87 inches) of rain was recorded between 6pm and midnight, the newspaper reported.

Pictures and videos circulated on social media showed flooded streets and submerged subway stations.

The city government will make an announcement on Friday morning whether it is safe to use roads and public transportation and whether offices and schools will be allowed to open.

Heavy rains were also reported in southern China, including Shenzhen It said It is preparing to release water from its reservoirs, which could worsen flooding in parts of northern Hong Kong.

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The region was hit by two typhoons within two weeks, with Typhoons Saola and Haikui causing devastation in southern China and Taiwan.