Tropical storm Podul brought intense thundery showers to the southern part of Hong Kong on Thursday morning, prompting the observatory to issue a Red Rainstorm Warning at 6.35am, though it says prospects of upgrading the Standby Signal No. 1 is low unless the storm changes track.

"Whether the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal needs to be issued depends on the development of the areas of thundery showers," the observatory said in a statement.

"Members of the public should stay on the alert and continue to be aware of the change in weather."

The Education Bureau said students of AM and whole-day schools should stay home, although schools should keep their premises open and look after any arriving students.

Podul is continuing to weaken as it moves west-northwest across inland Guangdong, but it is nonetheless bringing squally showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong.

Forecasters say rain is particularly heavy in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island, with hourly rainfall expected to exceed 100mm.

The Amber Rainstorm Warning was issued at 5.22, and was upgraded just over an hour later.

The observatory has warned members of the public to be on high alert and take necessary precautions, saying the heavy rain may cause flash floods. Drivers should be prepared for serious road flooding and congestion, it added.

The standby signal will remain in force for “some time” on Thursday morning, the observatory said, but it added that “unless Podul adopts a more southerly track closer to the Pearl River Estuary, the chance of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals is low.”

Podul had made a second landfall in Fujian province's Zhangpu County early on Thursday morning, after slamming into Taiwan’s Taitung County on Wednesday as a typhoon.

Authorities on the island say one person is missing after he went fishing and was swept away, while 112 have been injured.

More than 8,000 people were evacuated from their homes.

As Podul swept across storm-battered central and southern areas of Taiwan, it toppled dozens of trees and triggered flooding. (Additional reporting by AFP)

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Last updated: 2025-08-14 HKT 07:39