A record-breaking rain caused by Typhoon Haikui deluged China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday, causing widespread flooding, submerging streets and disrupting public traffic. All schools were suspended on Friday, the Hong Kong government said.
More than 70 mm of rainfall has been recorded in most parts of Hong Kong since Thursday night, and even over 200 mm were recorded in Kowloon, the northeastern part of the New Territories and Hong Kong Island. The Hong Kong Observatory reported hourly rainfall of 158.1 mm at its headquarters between 11 p.m. on Thursday and midnight on Friday, the highest record since 1884.
The weather agency issued rainstorm warning, landslip warning and the special announcement on flooding on Thursday night. Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway announced that it would suspend service in Wong Tai Sin station as it was affected by heavy rain.
The Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he was very concerned about the severe flooding in most parts of the region and had instructed all departments to respond with "all-out efforts." The Drainage Services Department, the Highways Department, the Home Affairs Department and other relevant departments are making all-out efforts and dealing with various scenarios in the affected areas.