Hong Kong hoists highest rain signal, closes schools

HONG KONG, June ‌18 (Reuters) - Hong ​Kong's ​observatory raised its highest black rain signal on Thursday at 12:55 p.m. local time (0455 GMT), ‌prompting schools to close and some businesses ⁠to halt, as it asked residents to take shelter and be ‌on guard for severe ‌flooding.

Heavy rain exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour is likely to continue, the observatory said on ​its website. It is the second time the black warning signal has been hoisted this year; ⁠the first occurred more than a week ago on June 8.The financial ​hub, along with much of southern China, has been soaked for several days now due ​to an active southwest monsoon ‌and a lingering trough of low pressure.

Intense gusts may continue to affect Hong Kong, ⁠with wind strength of around 80 km (50 miles) per hour recorded in the city's southwestern district of Tai ⁠O, the observatory said.

It comes ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival ​on Friday, which gives residents a three-day weekend, when many are expected to travel.

Authorities across the border in Shenzhen, mainland ‌China, hoisted the red rain signal and urged residents to stay away from low-lying, ‌waterlogged and what it called "other dangerous areas."

There was ⁠an increased risk of ‌mountain floods, landslides ​and other disasters, they said.

(Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Thomas ‌Derpinghaus)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Lula, Trump discuss tariffs in phone call, Brazil says
• Six killed, around 90 wounded in Russian strike on shopping centre in Ukraine
• NATO members discuss Strait of Hormuz options without alliance involvement