The Observatory replaced the T9 storm signal with the T8 warning at 11:50 pm on Sunday, as Typhoon Koinu began to weaken.
The Observatory said that intense rain bands were still affecting the region: “Locally, more than 100 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of the territory since midnight, and rainfall even exceeded 200 millimetres over the urban areas, Tseung Kwan O and Lantau Island.”
It issued the black rainstorm warning at 4 am, meaning rainfall exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour had fallen, or was expected to fall.
The T3 Strong Wind Signal will replace the T8 signal at 11.40 am, it added.
In a Monday press release, the government said that 25 people had sought medical treatment at emergency rooms during the typhoon period. There have been nine reports of fallen trees, two confirmed flooding cases, and one report of a landslide. 286 people have sought refuge at temporary shelters.
Schools, courts, sports centres, all child care centres, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units, as well as other government services will remain closed on Monday morning. Ferries to outlying islands will remain suspended.
The MTR was running a limited service on Monday morning, after hundreds were left stranded at the airport in the early hours.
Around 90 flights had been cancelled, the Airport Authority said. It added that passengers were asked to remain at the terminal for safety reasons.
Travellers waited hours for taxis, as the Airport Express rail line was halted. However, it reopened from around midnight to 3 am to clear the backlog.
Typhoon Koinu’s arrival comes a month after the city was battered by extreme weather events that experts have said are linked to the climate crisis.
Hong Kong saw its first T10 storm signal since 2018 in early September as Super Typhoon Saola brought strong winds to the territory. A week later, the city was hit by record-breaking rainfall that saw cars stranded on flooded roads and an entire MTR station exit submerged underwater. The city has also seen its hottest summer on record.
The weather will improve mid-week, with a sunny weekend in store.
Typhoon Signal 8
When the No. 8 signal is issued, gale or storm force winds are affecting, or expected to affect, Hong Kong.
- The Hong Kong Observatory will make a special announcement within two hours before the signal is hoisted. Most offices and businesses will then close and people without special reasons for staying out are expected to go home.
- All school classes and most government services will halt.
- Ferry services will give notice as to when they will stop running, while most bus routes will halt within two hours after the signal is issued.
- MTR trains will run normally unless weather conditions worsen.
- Citizens should return home or stay in a safe place, and avoid low-lying areas likely to be flooded.
- Temporary shelters will be opened in government buildings for people with no safe refuge.
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