2023-09-08 09:56:25
The financial center of Hong Kong was hit this Friday, September 8 by the worst rainfall ever recorded since records began in 1884, causing flooding and significant disruptions to transport, less than a week after the passage of a super typhoon.
The Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen, bordering Hong Kong, has been affected since Thursday by torrential rains, the heaviest ever recorded since 1952, according to state media.
The rest after the ad
The region has experienced extreme weather and record temperatures this summer, events that scientists say are exacerbated by climate change.
“It’s the Sun’s fault”, “+2°C is not enough”… 9 statements about climate change scrutinized
The Hong Kong Observatory, the city’s weather agency, reported rainfall of 158.1 millimeters at its headquarters between 11 p.m. and midnight local (5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Paris time). No injuries were immediately reported.
Many schools closed
The authorities announced the closure of schools “due to extreme conditions”, as well as certain customs services at the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This metropolis has 17.7 million inhabitants and is the headquarters of many technology companies.
Trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was suspended for the day due to the weather. On the other hand, that of Shenzhen opened lower on Friday morning.
The rest after the ad
The day when… climate change reaches the point of no return
According to Hong Kong authorities, Shenzhen is about to release water from its reservoirs, which could lead to flooding in parts of northern Hong Kong territory.
The Hong Kong metro operator has announced that it is partially suspending services on one of its lines after a station was flooded.
On social networks, Internet users have posted images showing a metro not stopping at Wong Tai Sin station, whose platform is invaded by water.
Other stations are also affected.
The rest after the ad
On several roads, cars and buses were half submerged.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the torrential rains were caused by the “trough of low pressure associated with the rest of Haikui”.
More intense tropical storms
Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, with more rain and stronger gusts causing flash flooding and coastal damage, experts say.
At the other end of the country, the Chinese capital Beijing experienced the heaviest flood in 140 years at the end of July and beginning of August, and the neighboring province of Hebei was particularly affected.
These rains caused the deaths of several dozen people and caused considerable damage.
#torrential #rains #fall #region #worst #years