The Black Rainstorm Warning Signal will remain in force at least until at 11am Thursday, while the Observatory warned of flash floods and landslides brought by the torrential downpours.

The weather forecaster issued the black alert at 7.50am – the fifth time since July 29 its top rain warning was triggered.

"According to the present assessment, the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal will at least remain in force until 11am," it said.

"There is severe rainstorm in Lantau Island and Central and Western District. It may cause serious flooding... Hourly rainfall is expected to exceed or has exceeded 100 mm in the above regions. Heavy rain may bring about flash floods."

The Observatory also warned of landslides in certain parts of the city.

"Rain has been particularly heavy in Southern District; and may cause landslides. Pay special attention to landslide risk and stay away from slopes," it said.

It further warned of violent gusts of wind as Tropical Storm Podul was moved across inland Guangdong.

The Standby Signal No 1 remains in force.

The Education Bureau announced that classes of all day schools - AM, PM and whole-day - would be cancelled on Thursday. Evening school classes would go ahead as usual if the black warning was not in force by 5pm.

The Drainage Services Department has deployed some 110 emergency response teams across the territory. Four cases of flooding were received as of 9.30am.
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Last updated: 2025-08-14 HKT 10:00