HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Observatory issued the amber rainstorm alert as rains and violent gusts swept the city on Saturday afternoon.

Hail was reported at Tai Po at 3:20 pm amid warning of squally thunderstorms.

“Violent gusts of around 110 and 100 kilometers per hour were recorded at Cheung Chau and Lau Fau Shan at around 3:15 pm,” the forecaster said in a 3:45 pm bulletin.

Earlier at 3 pm, the observatory issued the amber rainstorm warning, signaling that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimeters in an hour, and is likely to continue. The amber rainstorm signal was cancelled at 4:35 pm. 

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Warning that intense gusts may continue to affect the city, it advised people to seek safe shelter as soon as possible if they are staying outdoors.

“There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. People who are likely to be affected should take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risk posed by the heavy rain and flooding,” reads the HKO bulletin.

Pointing out that heavy rain may bring about flash floods, it asked people to stay away from watercourses.

A cold front is moving across the coast of Guangdong gradually. The associated heavy showers and squally thunderstorms are also affecting the region, according to the HKO.

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In the next couple of days, it will be cool in the morning with minimum temperatures of around 14 to 15 degrees Celsius and sunny intervals during the day, it added.

It will be windy on Sunday and dry in the middle and latter parts of next week, said the observatory.