Key facts
- Hong Kong Observatory upgraded its amber rainstorm warning to a red alert at 7:55 PM on Saturday.
- A red rainstorm warning signifies expected heavy rainfall exceeding 50mm per hour.
- The red warning is the second highest in Hong Kong's three-tier system.
- Previous yellow and amber alerts were issued earlier in the day.
The Hong Kong Observatory upgraded its second amber rainstorm warning of the day to a red alert at 7:55 PM on Saturday. The first yellow alert, the lowest in the three-tier rainstorm warning system, was lifted at 11:30 AM, 90 minutes after it was issued. Shortly after the second amber alert was sent out at 6:45 PM, the forecaster warned at 7:05 PM that the issuance of a red rainstorm warning signal would depend on the development of areas with thundery showers. A red rainstorm warning indicates that very heavy rain is expected, with over 50mm of rain falling or anticipated within an hour. It is the second highest of the three-tier rainstorm warning system and suggests a high likelihood of severe flooding, landslides, and significant disruptions to public transport and infrastructure.