Hong Kong Records Highest Rainfall in 139 Years, Causing Severe Flooding and Paralyzing the City

Hong Kong Records Highest Rainfall in 139 Years, Causing Chaos and Casualties

A historic rainfall event in Hong Kong has left the city paralyzed and in chaos as it experiences the highest rainfall on record in 139 years. Streets and subway stations have turned into rivers, disrupting public transport and causing casualties.

Unprecedented Flooding Brings Hong Kong to a Standstill

The first black storm warning of the year was issued as extreme flooding wreaked havoc in various parts of Hong Kong, severely disrupting public transport. The downpour intensified overnight, with an astonishing 158.1mm of rain falling within just one hour from 11 PM to 12 AM. This marks the highest hourly rainfall ever recorded since 1884.

The torrential rain triggered a landslide, leading to road damage and injuries. The Hong Kong Medical Board reported 110 people injured, including four in critical condition, as they were swept away by the powerful currents.

Unprecedented Emergency Measures Implemented

In response to the crisis, emergency measures were swiftly enacted. Schools were ordered to close, and the Hong Kong stock market suspended its operations. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee took to social media, acknowledging the severity of the situation, stating, “We are facing heavy rain that may occur only once in a century.” He further instructed all government departments to respond with utmost urgency.

A Deluge Beyond Boundaries

The effects of this historic rainfall extended beyond Hong Kong. Shenzhen, located in Guangdong Province and bordering Hong Kong, also witnessed an unprecedented deluge as over 200mm of rain fell from last night until this morning. The flooding in Shenzhen led to an underground car park being submerged and roads disappearing, causing navigational difficulties for locals.

This severe weather event was reportedly caused by low pressure brought forward by Typhoon Haikui, which initially passed through China earlier this month. Recent natural disasters incidents, including floods, droughts, and earthquakes, have plagued China, resulting in a total of 168 recorded deaths or missing persons in August alone.

This is Munhyeon Lee reporting for MBC News in Beijing.

Video editing: Kim Jin-woo / Video source: Weibo, Three Years Life Week, Yao Eokchan, Phoenix Week, Pengbae Spring Autumn Festival

◀ Anchor ▶

Hong Kong experienced the highest rainfall on record for the first time in 139 years.

The city came to a standstill as subways and road traffic were paralyzed, and casualties continued to occur.

Reporter Lee Mun-hyeon reported from Beijing.

◀ Report ▶

A road in Hong Kong.

Rainwater flows down quickly like a river.

Rainwater reached the subway station, preventing citizens from getting off the train for a while, and city traffic was paralyzed by the overflowing rainwater.

[CCTV 보도]

“The first black storm warning of the year has been issued after extreme flooding occurred in many parts of Hong Kong, severely disrupting public transport.”

In Hong Kong, the rain has become stronger since last night, and 158.1mm of water bombs fell in just one hour from 11 PM to 12 AM.

This is the highest hourly rainfall since records have been kept since 1884.

A landslide occurred, and parts of the road fell.

There were injuries, including being swept away by water, and the Hong Kong Medical Board announced that 110 people were injured at 2 pm today, four of them in a serious condition.

[홍콩 시민]

“This is the first time I have seen such a serious situation. Even in previous typhoons, it was never this severe. ″

Schools were ordered to be closed in an emergency, and the Hong Kong stock market was also closed.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said on social media, “We are experiencing heavy rain that may or may not happen once in 100 years,” and “I have ordered all government departments to respond with all their might.”

Over 200 mm of heavy rain fell in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, which borders Hong Kong, between last night and this morning.

Due to the heaviest rain in 71 years, the underground car park was flooded, and the road disappeared to the point that a food delivery person lost his way.

″Here, here. Get in here.″

This heavy rain was caused by low pressure brought forward by Typhoon Haikui, which passed through China earlier this month.

Recently, floods, droughts and earthquakes have occurred one after the other in China, and the number of people who died or went missing due to various natural disasters in August was counted as 168.

This is Munhyeon Lee from MBC News in Beijing.

Video editing: Kim Jin-woo / Video source: Weibo, Three Years Life Week, Yao Eokchan, Phoenix Week, Pengbae Spring Autumn Festival

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