Weather｜Amber Rainstorm Warning in effect; Drainage Services Department confirms 4 flooding cases in Northern New Territories

A severe thunderstorm area is affecting Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Observatory issued a Yellow Rainstorm Warning Signal at 5:30 am today (the 7th). Whether a Red Rainstorm Warning Signal needs to be issued depends on the development of the thunderstorm area. The public should remain highly vigilant and keep an eye on the latest weather updates.

In addition, at 7:30 am the Observatory issued a special report on flooding in the northern New Territories, particularly in the Pat Heung and Kam Tin areas, where heavy rain is being experienced. This may lead to flash floods. The Observatory urges the public to take appropriate preventive measures and stay away from river channels to avoid losses that could be caused by flooding. If there are flood-prevention warning bells near villages, villagers should also pay attention.

Affected by active southerly airflow and disturbances in the upper atmosphere, Hong Kong’s weather is expected to remain unstable over the next two days (the 7th and the 8th). Rainfall may at times be heavy and there may be squally thunderstorms. Before going out to go to school or work, citizens are advised to check the Observatory’s latest weather information.

The Drainage Services Department said that, as of 9:00 am, a total of 4 flooding cases have been confirmed, located at Fanling Highway near North District Hospital, Ping Che Li Uk Village, Lung Yeuk Tau Wing Ning Wai, and Kam Tin Road near the Pat Heung Police Station. The Drainage Services Department has deployed emergency response teams to handle the flooding cases, and the powerful drainage machine “Long Xishui” is also assisting in handling the flooding at Ping Che Li Uk Village.

The department said that the northern New Territories, especially the Pat Heung and Kam Tin, and Sheung Shui areas, are currently being affected by heavy rain. The Drainage Services Department had earlier carried out a flood risk assessment and expects that flooding may occur in low-lying areas of the northern New Territories, such as Ping Che, with an estimated flood depth possibly exceeding 300 millimetres. The Drainage Services Department has also arranged for the powerful drainage machine “Long Xishui” to stand by at Ping Che Li Uk to deal with any flooding.