Hong Kong issues amber rainstorm warning as thunderstorms approach

Hong Kong's weather forecaster has issued an amber rainstorm warning, calling on the public to seek safe shelter as thunderstorms and intense gusts are set to hit the city. The Hong Kong Observatory raised the signal at 11.35am on Wednesday, saying areas of intense thundery showers associated with upper-air disturbances had been persistently affecting the area. "Whether the red rainstorm warning signal needs to be issued depends on the development of thundery showers," it said. It also warned that flooding could occur in some low-lying and poorly drained areas, with heavy rain possibly bringing flash floods. The Observatory issued a thunderstorm warning at 9.20am, adding that intense gusts reaching 70km/h (43.5mph) or above might affect Hong Kong.