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Hong Kong Paralyzed by Record-Breaking August Rains
5 Aug
Summary
- Over 350mm of rain recorded, highest daily August rainfall in 140 years
- Widespread flooding disrupts hospitals, schools, and transportation
- Extreme weather linked to climate change poses growing challenges
On August 5, 2025, Hong Kong experienced a devastating deluge, with over 350mm of rain recorded by the city's weather authorities - the highest daily rainfall for the month of August in more than 140 years. The torrential downpour has caused widespread chaos, forcing the closure of schools, courts, and hospitals, while also leading to severe flooding that has submerged roads and vehicles.
The storms follow deadly flash floods that struck Southern China just last weekend, leaving five people dead in Guangdong province and prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving over 1,300 personnel. In Hong Kong, the weather service has issued its highest "black" rainstorm warning, breaking the record for the most frequent issuance of this alert within a single year.
Experts have linked this extreme rainfall and catastrophic flooding to the growing impact of climate change, which is posing mounting challenges for both Hong Kong and mainland China. Such events can not only lead to loss of life and injuries but also displace thousands and threaten billions of dollars in economic losses. Hong Kong typically receives an annual average of 2,200mm of rainfall, with more than half of it usually falling during the June-August period.
