Getty ImagesEmergency crews in Hong Kong respond to severe flooding on Connaught Road West after heavy rain from Tropical Cyclone Podul triggered the city’s fifth black rainstorm warning in two weeks Hong Kong lowered its black rainstorm warning to red late Thursday morning, August 14, after hours of intense rainfall brought by Tropical Cyclone Podul. The black signal, the highest in the city’s system, had been issued at 7:50 a.m., marking the fifth such alert in two weeks.The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) reported rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters per hour in the Central and Western District, with landslide risks identified in the Southern District. “Heavy rain will bring flash floods, and flooding is occurring or is expected to occur in watercourses. People should stay away from watercourses,” the HKO said.FinanceValue and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4By CA Himanshu JainArtificial IntelligenceAI For Business Professionals Batch 2By Ansh MehraFinanceValue and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3By CA Himanshu JainArtificial Intelligence AI For Business ProfessionalsBy Vaibhav SisinityFinanceValue and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2By CA Himanshu JainFinanceValue and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1By CA Himanshu JainAlso read: Hong Kong issues highest storm warning as typhoon Wipha approachesThe black signal is triggered when rainfall exceeds 70 millimeters in an hour across Hong Kong and is likely to continue. The HKO noted the city has recorded a record number of black rainstorm warnings since the system began.Class cancellations, court disruptions, and transport delays across Hong KongIn response to the severe weather, the Education Bureau canceled all day classes, while the Judiciary suspended morning hearings and prepared to extend the adjournments if warnings persisted past 11 a.m.Live EventsTropical Cyclone Podul, located about 260 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong at 9:30 a.m., was moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour. The No. 1 typhoon signal remained in place, indicating a tropical cyclone is within 800 kilometers and may affect the territory. “Podul is gradually departing from Hong Kong and weakening. However, under the influence of its intense outer rainbands, locally there are heavy squally showers and severe squally thunderstorms,” the HKO said in a 9:45 a.m. update.Knee-deep flooding was reported on Connaught Road West, blocking drains and stranding vehicles. Flooding also halted traffic at the Hong Kong Island exit of the Western Harbour Tunnel during the morning commute, worsening citywide transport disruptions.Hong Kong issues amber rainstorm warning signal amid heavy rain forecastThe Drainage Services Department’s Emergency Control Centre deployed 90 response units to 240 high-risk flood-prone locations across the territory. Crews carried out inspections, cleared blockages, and responded to multiple flooding reports in Central and Western District. No injuries were reported as of 10:30 a.m.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onHong Kong rainstorm warningCyclone Podul floodingblack rainstorm warningTropical Cyclone Podultransport disruptions Hong Kong (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onHong Kong rainstorm warningCyclone Podul floodingblack rainstorm warningTropical Cyclone Podultransport disruptions Hong Kong(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless Explore More Stories123