Heavy rain was also reported in the neighbouring Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen. The city has been lashed by the heaviest rain since records began in 1952, state media reported on Friday.
“From 5pm Thursday to 6am Friday, the average rainfall in Shenzhen was 202.8mm, and the maximum cumulative rainfall reached 469mm,” Xinhua reported, adding that the rainfall had broken multiple meteorological records since they began 71 years ago.
Shenzhen prepared to discharge water from its reservoirs, according to Hong Kong officials, which they said could lead to flooding in parts of northern Hong Kong as a result.
Some passenger and cargo clearance points at two border control points between the cities were also suspended due to flooding, the government said.
Southern China was hit the previous weekend by two typhoons in quick succession – Saola and Haikui – though Hong Kong avoided a feared direct hit.
Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors ahead of the storms.
Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage, experts say.
Source: CNA
