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Heavy rain puts damper on Hong Kong school graduations as classes suspended

Observatory cancels all rainstorm warnings at 8pm but says weather will remain unstable

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Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has issued a red rainstorm warning. Photo: Elson Li
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Parents have expressed frustration and disappointment after Hong Kong education authorities announced that classes of all day schools would be suspended on Friday because of bad weather, affecting long-planned graduation ceremonies and farewell parties on the last day of term for many.

The Education Bureau made the decision on Thursday as torrential rain and squally thunderstorms battered parts of the city, with the New Territories hit by flooding and the Observatory issuing and cancelling a series of rainstorm warnings throughout the day.

But some parents questioned the timing of the bureau’s announcement and the impact that the suspension would have on children missing out on milestone events.

“Many schools have their graduation ceremonies and closing ceremonies [on Friday] but now all of them will be disappointed,” said a parent, Chan Sau-kuen.

“Students cannot say thank you or goodbye to each other, and it will leave them with regrets and hurt children’s hearts. The impact will be far-reaching.”

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