Hong Kong, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, was swamped by the heaviest rainfall in 140 years on Friday, September 8, 2023.
The torrential rain caused widespread flooding, submerging streets, shopping malls, metro stations, and even a cross-harbour tunnel.
Authorities issued the highest “black” rainstorm warning and shut schools and some border control points. Two people were killed and more than 100 were injured, according to media reports.
The Hong Kong Observatory reported hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimetres at its headquarters in the hour leading up to midnight (16:00 GMT), the highest since records began in 18841. The weather bureau said more than 200 mm of rainfall was recorded on Hong Kong’s main island, Kowloon and the northeastern part of the city’s New Territories since Thursday night.