Braving the elements

People walk across a street outside Wong Tai Sin Temple amid a heavy downpour yesterday.

The Sai Kung and Sha Tin districts recorded the most intense rainfall citywide in the morning, while the forecaster issued an amber rainstorm signal for five hours.

The Observatory said more than 30mm of rain had fallen over most parts of the city by noon, with Sai Kung and Sha Tin receiving more than 100mm.

An advisory notice at 12.15pm warned that rain was particularly heavy in those two districts and could cause serious flooding. The amber rainstorm warning signal was issued at 8.35am, and remained in force for about five hours before it was cancelled at 1.45pm.

“Although the rainstorm warning has been cancelled, people should remain alert to the danger that may be brought about by river flooding,” the forecaster warned.

The thunderstorm alert lasted until noon, with the forecaster earlier warning that violent gusts and possible hail could affect the city.

“People who are likely to be affected should take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risks posed by the heavy rain and flooding,” it said.

Residents can also expect heavy showers and squally thunderstorms over the weekend, as a trough of low pressure sweeps over southern China. However, the forecaster said the weather would briefly improve on Monday before becoming unsettled again in the following days.

The city has experienced a spate of unstable weather and flooding recently. Temperatures for the coming nine days are expected to range between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius.