Source: South China Morning Post
Date: 18th June 2026 

Hong Kong experienced its second Black Rainstorm Warning of 2026 on Thursday, triggering widespread transport disruptions, flight delays, flooding and school closures across the city.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the highest-level rainstorm warning at 1:40 pm following intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that affected multiple districts. The warning was later downgraded to Red and subsequently Yellow as weather conditions gradually improved.

Severe Flooding Across Northern New Territories. The heaviest rainfall was recorded in northern districts, including Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Pat Heung, San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei, Sheung Shui and Ta Kwu Ling, where flooding was reported in several low-lying areas.

Videos shared online showed roads submerged under floodwater, vehicles stranded in flooded streets, and agricultural land inundated by rapidly rising water levels. Authorities also issued a landslip warning, advising the public to stay away from steep slopes, retaining walls, and flood-prone areas.

Airport Operations Affected. The adverse weather conditions disrupted operations at Hong Kong International Airport, with several inbound flights diverted to alternative airports in mainland China.

Multiple arriving and departing flights also experienced delays as airlines adjusted schedules in response to the severe weather conditions.

Schools and Public Transport Impacted. The Education Bureau suspended afternoon classes across Hong Kong, while schools already in session were instructed to implement safety measures before dismissing students.

Public transport services were also affected. Several MTR station exits were temporarily closed as a precaution against flooding, while bus operators suspended or diverted selected routes due to waterlogged roads in the New Territories.

Weather Conditions Expected to Improve. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, weather conditions are expected to gradually improve from Friday afternoon onwards, with sunny intervals returning despite isolated showers.

Forecasters expect very hot and generally fine weather to dominate southern China over the coming weekend and early next week, although occasional showers may continue to affect coastal areas of Guangdong.

While the disruption was primarily localised and short-term, severe weather events can impact cargo movements, airport operations, and last-mile deliveries across Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region.

Potential impacts include:

• Flight delays and cargo handling disruptions at Hong Kong International Airport
• Delivery delays due to flooded roads and traffic congestion
• Temporary interruptions to cross-border trucking operations
• Increased risk of shipment delays for time-sensitive cargo

The latest black rainstorm serves as another reminder of the growing operational challenges posed by extreme weather events across Asia.

Businesses moving cargo through Hong Kong should continue to monitor weather developments closely and maintain contingency plans for transportation, warehousing, and last-mile distribution activities. Strong visibility, proactive communication, and flexible logistics planning remain essential to minimizing disruptions during severe weather events.