Heatwave Disruptions in Hong Kong: Power and AC Outages Impact Residents, Offices, and Funeral Parlour

Power supply and air-conditioning disruptions during Hong Kong’s ongoing heatwave have affected estate residents, office workers and even a funeral parlour, as an expert warned that the higher energy demand caused by the weather could trigger outages in older districts. The city has grappled with an intense heatwave in recent days, with scorching temperatures driven by a southwesterly airstream. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Tuesday the maximum temperature recorded at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui was 34.8 degrees Celsius (94.6 Fahrenheit), while mercury readings in Yuen Long peaked at 36.9 degrees. On Sunday, the peak temperature at the forecaster’s headquarters hit levels unseen since records began in 1884, reaching 36.9 degrees. Tuesday’s weather also took a toll on the Global Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom, where a power outage affected services. “The ventilation system was down, so the management told mourners not to light incense or burn any paper offerings,” industry employee Chan Yan said. “And staff had to carry the bodies up the stairs.”