Hong Kong issues red rainstorm warning as morning and whole-day classes suspended

Hong Kong's weather service issued a red rainstorm warning on Thursday morning, suspending all morning and whole-day school classes. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the middle level red signal at 5:05 am, followed by a Special Landslip Advisory warning of potential landslides on Po Toi Island due to heavy rainfall. The Education Bureau announced the suspension of classes at all morning and full-day schools, but if the red warning was downgraded to amber or canceled by 10:30 am, afternoon school classes would continue as planned.

The Home Affairs Department opened temporary shelters for residents impacted by the severe weather. The weather service explained that the red warning indicated heavy rain had fallen or was expected to fall in Hong Kong, with rainfall exceeding 50mm per hour. They warned of the potential for flash floods and noted that flooding was already occurring or anticipated to occur near waterways.

Home Affairs advised residents living near rivers to remain vigilant and consider evacuation if their homes might be at risk of flooding.