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From extreme weather to impact on people's livelihood: How slow was the Hong Kong government's response to a once-in-a-century rainstorm?
On the evening of September 7, 2023, Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region, including Guangdong Province and Macau in China, were hit by heavy rain. The record rainfall triggered widespread flooding and mudslides, killing four people and injuring dozens.
On September 5, 2023, Typhoon Haikui suddenly hit Fujian Province, China, then entered Guangdong and stayed in the Pearl River Delta region for more than two days. With the interaction between the low-pressure trough and the southwest monsoon, extreme rainfall began to occur in the Pearl River Delta from the evening of September 7. According to the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Sha Tau Kok in the North District recorded more than 70 millimetres of rainfall at 7pm. The Observatory issued a flood warning for the Northern New Territories at 7:50 p.m., and the rain quickly spread across the territory.
In less than half an hour, HKO issued a yellow rainstorm warning, which was later upgraded to a red warning. It was not until 11:05 that the highest warning level, Black Rainstorm Warning, was issued due to the deteriorating conditions. This was the first time such a warning had been issued in two years. According to HKO data, the total rainfall in Hong Kong from 11pm on September 7 to 0am on September 8 was as high as 158.1 mm, setting a record for the highest hourly rainfall rate since 1884.
Severe flooding was reported across Hong Kong, with Wong Tai Sin district being one of the worst affected areas. The shopping centre on Lung Cheung Road and the adjacent MTR station were flooded, and part of the Kwun Tong Line was suspended due to severe flooding in the railway tunnels. Many vehicles were trapped in the water, including a bus which was flooded in Chai Wan. In some areas of the New Territories, residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to chest-deep water.
In areas affected by heavy rain, mudslides pushed down boulders, blocked roads, and trapped many residents.
As the rain continued, multiple mudslides occurred across Hong Kong. Obviously, illegal buildings around luxury residential areas with bleak prospects such as Stanley and Tai Tam Bay were exposed by the impact of landslides, and some sections of the road were covered with mud and rocks.
Controversy
Reservoir drainage
The Hong Kong government confirmed in a morning message that drainage of the Shenzhen reservoir would begin at midnight and warned that there might be a risk of flooding in some parts of the New Territories. However, as homes of villagers in the area were submerged by river water, the director of the Security Affairs Bureau had said that the flooding did not seem to be directly related to the drainage of the reservoir, which aroused doubts among villagers.
Government response
All schools were closed on September 8 as flooding continued. However, the government only "reminded" employers that they do not need to require non-essential workers to go to work, and did not issue a mandatory order. In addition, the government initially described the rainfall as "once in a century" but later upgraded the description to "once in 500 years", which caused public dissatisfaction and was seen as an attempt to shirk responsibility.
Observers have criticised the government's response as "too little, too late" and called for a comprehensive review of its emergency systems and capabilities.
Conclusion
Judging from this historic rainstorm event, Hong Kong’s emergency response system and preparedness are still inadequate. Faced with such extreme climate challenges, will the government be able to respond more agilely and effectively in the future?
