The Hong Kong Observatory issued the red rainstorm alert – the second in the city’s three-tier warning system – on Friday afternoon as widespread rain lashed the city.

The alert – issued at 12:15 pm – remained in effect for one hour and five minutes before the forecaster replaced it with an amber signal, warning the residents that intense gusts might affect Hong Kong.

The lowest in the warning system, the amber rainstorm signal was first raised during the day at 11:50 am and then again at 1:20 pm, before it was cancelled at 2 pm. 

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After the issuance of the red rainstorm warning signal, the Education Bureau said in a notification that students of PM schools do not have to attend school in the afternoon due to the rainstorm. “Schools which are in session should continue until the end of school hours. They should ensure that conditions are safe before allowing students to return home,” it added.

The weather forecaster warned that heavy rain could cause serious road flooding and traffic congestion and could disrupt normal school hours.

Advising people to stay away from watercourses, the HKO said, “Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation if their homes may become flooded.”