The Black Rainstorm Warning was in effect for more than 11 hours on Tuesday as the city was battered by record rainfall.

The Observatory said 358.8 millimetres of rain was recorded at its headquarters from midnight to 5pm, the highest single-day total for August since records began.

Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Sai Kung each saw rainfall exceeding 300 millimetres.

The top black alert lasted more than 11 hours – from 5.50am to 5.05pm – the second-longest on record, before the amber warning was issued.

All rainstorm warnings were cancelled at 6.15pm.

In September 2023, torrential downpours prompted the forecaster the issue the black warning signal for more than 16 hours.

Tuesday's deluge led to flooded roads, people trapped in vehicles and many services disrupted.

There were 29 cases of flooding as of 3pm, according to the Drainage Services Department.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office said it had received 18 reports of landslides as of 5.30pm.

Separately, the Fire Services Department said it handled 42 reports of people trapped in lifts, 36 cases of fallen trees, seven reports of landslides, as well as 69 instances of flooding.

"Under the influence of the southwesterly airstream, there will still be showers locally [on Wednesday morning]. Showers will be heavy at times at first," the forecaster said.

The government said various departments will continue to carry out coping measures and relief work as the weather conditions remain unstable.
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Last updated: 2025-08-05 HKT 18:54