Hong Kong Issues Black Rainstorm Warning, Suspends Afternoon Classes

Hong Kong has been hit by further heavy downpours, with the weather forecaster issuing the black rainstorm warning and education authorities suspending afternoon classes.

The warning was issued at 12.55pm on Thursday, as the Hong Kong Observatory cautioned of flooding risks across several districts. It indicates that very heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally across the territory, exceeding 70 mm in an hour.

This year’s first black rainstorm warning was issued on June 8, lasting for about an hour.

“Students attending afternoon-session schools do not need to go to school today. Schools should keep their premises open and implement contingency measures to look after students who arrive,” the Education Bureau said.

It added that schools already in session should continue until the end of the school day and ensure conditions were safe before allowing students to return home.

The forecaster said sunny intervals were likely to return on Friday afternoon despite strong winds and a few showers, before conditions turned very hot over the weekend and into early next week.