The year's second Black Rainstorm Warning was in effect for more than two hours on Thursday as heavy rain lashed the region, while authorities responded to dozens of flooding reports.

The black signal was issued at 12.55pm, replacing the red signal which had been in force for 45 minutes.

"This means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue," the Observatory said.

It was in effect until 3.05pm when the Red Rainstorm Warning was issued.

The Observatory warned that further heavy rain could cause or might already have caused serious flooding and traffic congestion, and people who have to travel should take necessary precautions.

The Observatory also warned that heavy rain will bring flash floods, with watercourses hit by flooding.

Members of the public are urged to stay away from watercourses.

A Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories was also issued earlier, with rain especially heavy in Yuen Long, Sheung Shui and Ta Kwu Ling.

The Fire Services Department said it had responded to 57 reports of flooding, most of which were in Sheung Shui and Yuen Long.

A social media post added the Director's Command Post had been activated to coordinate rescue and recovery operations.

The Social Welfare Department said that childcare and elderly service centres, as well as rehabilitation service units and vocational training centres will remain open during their normal operating hours to take care of those in need.

The Education Bureau announced that students of afternoon schools do not have to attend classes on Thursday. It added that classes of evening schools will proceed as usual if no red or black signal was in force by 5pm.
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Last updated: 2026-06-18 HKT 17:05



Edited by Aaron Tam