Black storm warning paralyses Hong Kong as torrential rain triggers floods and landslides
Second black rainstorm in six hours forces closure of schools, courts and most public services

Namita Singh
Tuesday 05 August 2025 09:49 BST

Hong Kong came to a standstill on Tuesday as torrential rain pounded the city for the second time in less than six hours, triggering a rare black rainstorm warning, paralysing public services and flooding key urban districts.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued its highest-level alert at 5.50am local time, warning that more than 70mm rain was falling per hour across the territory. A similar black rain warning had been issued at 11.45pm Monday night.

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Flash floods ripped through several districts including Central, Pok Fu Lam, Tseung Kwan O, and Tai Po, turning staircases into cascading streams and major roads into rivers of mud. In Quarry Bay, torrents swept down hillsides, inundating King’s Road and nearby residential areas, the South China Morning Post reported.

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Between midnight and 8am, most Hong Kong districts recorded over 40mm of rainfall, while parts of Sai Kung and Tai Po witnessed nearly 300mm.

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