The city of Shenzhen, in southern China, and China’s administrative region of Hong Kong have experienced the most intense rainfall in the past 140 years in recent hours, authorities said.
Since Thursday, Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, has been hit by torrential rains, the heaviest since meteorological records began in 1952, state media said.
According to news agency Xinhua, the local rainfall amounted to 469 millimeters, a record for Shenzhen. The city has a population of 17.7 million and is home to many technology companies.
83 injured as Hong Kong and Shenzhen experience the heaviest rain on record#Hong-Kong #Shenzhen #Flood #Rain #Disaster #BNN #World News #Daily news #Breaking news #News update pic.twitter.com/BfKWxt5Iam
– Nitish Verma (@nitsonnet) September 8, 2023
In Macau, meteorological services also warned of the possibility of flooding, especially in low-lying areas of the city. Until 9 a.m. (2 a.m. in Lisbon), the total daily rainfall on the Macau Peninsula exceeded 100 millimeters.
In Hong Kong, there is also flooding and damage that has yet to be quantified.
“I am deeply concerned about the severe flooding in several areas,” Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee wrote this morning on his Facebook social network account, asking people to stay in sheltered areas and saying that several ministries are taking measures. to help the affected areas.
Flooding due to heavy rainfall (246.8 mm in 3 hours) in Shenzhen, China pic.twitter.com/E9w5J9fkgu
– Ricorda (@marianofusco1) September 8, 2023
The Hong Kong government suspended all school activities on Friday.
Residents of the Shenzhen, Ng Tung and Sheung Yu rivers were also put on high alert after a reservoir in neighboring Shenzhen overflowed.
The storm also forced the closure of Heung Yuen Wai and Man Kam To border checkpoints, as well as local immigration authorities, all public medical centers and the post office.
Hong Kong’s heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years.
Footage from instagram. pic.twitter.com/iKaf2PcaJj— Josh Ye (@ByJoshYe) September 8, 2023
Videos are circulating on social media of people and vehicles trapped by flooding on city streets, as well as a flooded subway station.
According to the local meteorological observatory, the heavy rain mainly affected the northern part of the New Territories, including Sheung Shui, Ta Kwu Ling and the Sha Tau Kok area.
According to data from the observatory, under the influence of a low pressure depression associated with the remnants of Typhoon Haikui, showers and thunderstorms will occur off the coast of Guangdong in the coming days.
Wan Chai, Hong Kong tonight! #Climate crisis pic.twitter.com/CDVGZePQOU
– Volcaholic (@volcaholic1) September 7, 2023
The flooding comes on top of two typhoons (Saola and Haikui) that hit southern mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, causing damage and injuries.
Source: DN
