Hong Kong – August 6, 2025 – Hong Kong has been hit by record-breaking torrential rainfall that triggered widespread flooding, paralyzing public services and causing major disruptions across the city. The downpour, which began on Monday, marked the heaviest single-day rainfall for August since records began in 1884.
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued its highest-level “black rainstorm warning,” which remained in effect for over 11 hours. This was the fourth time the highest-level alert has been issued in just eight days, an unprecedented frequency for the city. The HKO recorded over 350mm (13.8 inches) of rain by Tuesday afternoon, causing severe flooding in multiple districts and leading to a warning for potential landslides.
The extreme weather brought the city to a standstill:
- Public Services and Infrastructure: All schools and courts were shuttered. Roads were submerged, with some cars partially or fully underwater. Public transport was significantly affected, and some subway station exits were temporarily closed.
- Healthcare: Several health clinics were shut down, and emergency services at Queen Mary Hospital were disrupted due to severe flooding on surrounding roads.
- Travel: Air travel was impacted, with a number of flights being delayed or cancelled, while speed limits were lowered on bridges due to poor visibility.
The Hong Kong government has activated an emergency coordination center and opened temporary shelters for affected residents. Authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant and avoid areas prone to flooding and landslides as recovery and cleanup efforts get underway.
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