HK swelters through its hottest day ever

Hong Kong experienced its hottest day ever on Sunday, with temperatures reaching an astonishing 36.9 degrees Celsius at the Observatory, according to the Royal Observatory. This marked a significant increase from the previous record of 36.6 degrees Celsius set in 2017. The extreme heat was felt across the city, with Sheung Shui registering a scorching 39.8 degrees Celsius, the highest reading since automatic weather stations were introduced in the 1980s.

Many districts experienced temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius. Forecasts warned that the intense heat would likely continue for several days into the middle of the week.

The weather was attributed to the outer subsiding air of Severe Typhoon Dolphin, which brought generally fine and extremely hot conditions to Guangdong. Locals in Hong Kong shared their strategies for staying cool. Ashraf, a local woman, emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and seeking shade, while also acknowledging that this was the hottest she had experienced in her lifetime, noting that the climate has changed and temperatures have risen.

Tuti, a foreign domestic helper, opted to spend her day off in a shaded area on a footbridge in Mong Kok, finding the heat manageable as it was similar to conditions in Indonesia. Malaysian tourist Mok, though initially overwhelmed by the humidity, adjusted his plans to spend more time indoors, noting that while Malaysia is usually cooler, this level of heat was notably intense.

Despite the discomfort, some residents, like a young boy wearing a long-sleeved sweater, remained unfazed, attributing their comfort to personal choice rather than necessity.