2023 Hong Kong rainstorm and floods

In the evening of 7 September 2023, a heavy rainstorm struck the city of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta area, including parts of Guangdong, China and Macau. The record rainfall caused widespread flooding and landslides in the cities, four dead and dozens injured.[4][5]

2023 Hong Kong rainstorm and floods
Low pressure system of former Typhoon Haikui, affecting the Pearl River Delta area
CauseLow pressure trough of residual Typhoon Haikui
Meteorological history
Duration7–8 September 2023
Flood
Maximum rainfall158.1 millimetres (6.22 in) hourly[1]
Overall effects
Fatalities15 (4 in Hong Kong, 11 in Guangxi)
Injuries144 (Hong Kong)
Economic lossesHK$100 million
Areas affectedHong Kong, Macau, southern coast of China
[2][3]

History

On 5 September 2023, Typhoon Haikui made landfall in China's Fujian province, subsequently moving into Guangdong, before its remnants stalled over the Pearl River Delta for over two days. As the low pressure trough associated with Haikui's remnants interacted with the south-westerly monsoon,[6] the Pearl River Delta started experiencing extreme rainfall beginning on the night of 7 September.

By 7 pm on 7 September, Sha Tau Kok in the North District recorded more than 70 millimetres (2.8 in) rainfall. Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued a flood warning for Northern New Territories at 7:50 pm.[7] Heavy rainfall then spread to the entire city, forcing the HKO to issue the Amber rainstorm signal, and later the Red signal in less than half an hour. At 11:05 pm, the highest warning level, Black rainstorm signal, was issued due to worsening situations. It was the first time the warning was issued in two years.[8]

According to the HKO, between 11:00 p.m. of 7 September and 12:00 a.m, of 8 September, the HKO headquarters recorded 158.1 millimetres (6.22 in) mm of rainfall within one hour, the highest hourly rainfall rate ever in Hong Kong since records began in 1884.[9]

The torrential rainfall continued overnight and into the morning of 8 September, gradually subsiding by afternoon. The Black rainstorm signal lasted over 16 hours, the longest duration ever since the rainstorm warning system was implemented in 1992. The HKO headquarters accumulated over 632 millimetres (24.9 in) of rainfall within 24 hours, a 24-hour rainfall rate trailing only the record set in May 1889. This also makes Typhoon Haikui the wettest storm in Hong Kong's history, breaking the record of Severe Tropical Storm Sam in 1999. Meanwhile, parts of Hong Kong Island, including Stanley, Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan and North Point accumulated over 800 millimetres (31 in) of rainfall within just 12 hours, the area around Tai Tam even accumulated over 900 millimetres (35 in).[10]

Impact
Ground level of a shopping mall in Wong Tai Sin submerged by water

Flooding were reported across the city, with Wong Tai Sin as one of the hardest hit. Shopping mall on Lung Cheung Road and MTR underground station in the neighbourhood became deluged by water.[11] Kwun Tong line was partly closed due to the severe flooding in the railway tunnel.[12]

Vehicles were trapped due to the widespread flooding, including a flooded bus in Chai Wan on Hong Kong Island. In some parts of New Territories, chest-deep water forced residents to flee villages.[13]

Landslide in Shau Kei Wan saw bus-size boulders falling

As downpour continued, landslides rocked the city. In the neighbourhood of Shau Kei Wan, giant boulders as large as a bus tumbled down a section of the road, some 50 meters of the road was completely covered with mud and rocks standing up to three meters high.[14][15] Luxury houses in Redhill Peninsula near Tai Tam Bay were also exposed with illegal structures following the soil slip.[16][17] Ruptures of underground water pipe created sinkholes in several part of the city, causing minibus and car plunging into the holes.[18][19]

Shek O and another nearby coastal village were isolated for a day due to a collapsed section of the Shek O Road,[20] with the Government evacuating some residents through boats.

Controversies

Reservoir discharge

The Hong Kong Government released a brief statement sixteen minutes into Friday, confirming the Shenzhen Reservoir will discharge water from about midnight, and warned that "[t]here may be a risk of flooding in some parts of the New Territories".[21] The discharge began at 12.15 a.m., whilst villagers scrambled to prepare and battle the torrential rain.[22] Chris Tang, the Security Secretary, claimed the widespread flooding "seemed to have no direct correlation with the water discharge from Shenzhen".[23] Villagers living near the Sham Chun River questioned Tang as neck-deep river water engulfed the houses after the discharge.[24]

Government's response

As flooding persisted into the morning, all schools in the city had to be shut down on 8 September.[25] However, the Government only "reminded" employers that all non-essential employees "should not be required to report for duty",[26] under a non-binding "extreme conditions" announcement unlike arrangements for typhoons.[27]

The Hong Kong Government first described the historic rainfall as "once-in-a-century",[25] but then upgraded the narrative to "once-in-500-years",[28] or a 0.2% chance.[29] It caused uproar from the public as an attempt to deflect the blame,[30] after the authorities were questioned and criticised for the preparedness for such an emergency.[25] Observers and critics attacked the government’s response for "too little, too late", while lawmakers and analysts urged the government to carry out a full review of the emergency system and capabilities.[31]

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2023 Hong Kong rainstorm and flood.

Other recent severe rainstorm events in China:

References
  1. "9月7至8日的破紀錄暴雨". Hong Kong Observatory (in Chinese). Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  2. Lam, Jeffie (9 September 2023). "Body of man found during river clearance in Hong Kong's Yuen Long". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. "Extreme conditions to cease by midnight, weather improving and transportation gradually resuming, 144 individuals seek treatment at public hospitals". Dimsum Daily. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  4. Kong, Harvey; Lam, Jeffie (9 September 2023). "Hong Kong flood aftermath: police confirm identity of remains found near island as missing man, hours after discovery of another body". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  5. Mok, Danny (10 September 2023). "Hong Kong man, 38, dies while connecting solar panels to power supply amid rainfall at city's science park". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  6. Siu, Tyrone; Master, Farah (8 September 2023). "'Black storm': Parts of Hong Kong submerged after heaviest rain in 140 years". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  7. "黑雨警告現正生效 同時發出山泥傾瀉警告". on.cc東網 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 7 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  8. Mok, Danny; Kong, Harvey; Tsand, Denise (7 September 2023). "132 Hongkongers sent to hospitals, all rainstorm alerts cancelled after deluge". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  9. "PRESS WEATHER NO. 022 - HOURLY READINGS". Weather Report. Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  10. "Hong Kong Weather Station Observations Database". ilens.hk. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  11. "MTR stations, malls flooded amid deluge". Radio Television Hong Kong. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  12. Standard, The. "Lawmaker slams MTR for sending staff into flooded tunnels". The Standard. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  13. "黑色暴雨｜深圳排洪 港警45分鐘前接通知 政府 16 分鐘前發稿通知市民 - 集誌社". 8 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  14. "Hong Kong's heaviest rainfall in 140 years leads to landslides with 'boulders the size of buses'". Sky News. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  15. Standard, The. "Huge boulders crash downhill during rain-induced landslide in Shau Kei Wan". The Standard. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  16. Lee, James. "Hong Kong to 'enforce the law' after landslide exposes alleged illegal structures at luxury estate - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP". hongkongfp.com. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  17. Lee, James (15 September 2023). "Third Hong Kong property found with illegal structures at luxury estate". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  18. "Minibus plunges into sinkhole after water pipe burst - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  19. "Hong Kong Shuts Down City After Heaviest Rainfall On Record". Bloomberg.com. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  20. Hutton, Mercedes (9 September 2023). "Road to Hong Kong villages cut off by landslides to partially reopen; residents rally to coordinate clean-up efforts". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  21. "Water Discharged from Shenzhen Reservoir". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  22. "Hong Kong villagers scramble to prepare for reservoir water release amid floods". South China Morning Post. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  23. "多區水浸與深圳排洪無直接關係". Hong Kong's Information Services Department (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  24. "暴雨後｜蟑螂入耳 蛆蟲蠕動 北區災民 憶逃生 求支援". Yahoo Sports (in Chinese). 14 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  25. "Record-breaking rain lashes Hong Kong, forcing schools to shut, workers to stay home". ABC News (Australia). 8 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  26. "Work arrangements under "extreme conditions"". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  27. "政Whats噏：極端情況指引冇約束力 黃國促請政府立法停工". on.cc東網 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 11 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  28. "Leader agrees on need for warning system review for storm-battered Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  29. Willingham, A. J. (19 September 2019). "No, a 1-in-500-year rainfall event doesn't mean it happens once in 500 years". CNN. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  30. "周日話題：一場風雨，百般思緒 - 20230917 - CULTURE & LEISURE". 明報OL網 (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  31. "What went wrong with Hong Kong's handling of floods from record rainstorm?". South China Morning Post. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
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