Super Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong’s coastal low-lying areas hit by floodwaters
Authorities say they received 22 reports of flooding as of late afternoon
Coastal and low-lying areas across Hong Kong have been hit hard by Super Typhoon Ragasa, as it brought a significant storm surge and rainstorms to the city, inundating streets and promenades.
Widespread flooding could be seen across the city on Wednesday morning, with the Hong Kong Observatory reporting that water levels in some areas had reached up to 3.8 metres (12.5 feet) or more above chart datum, a reference level for measuring tide heights.
Authorities said that as of late afternoon they had received 22 flooding reports, including in Tseung Kwan O, Tai O on Lantau Island and near the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin.
Other cases were reported in areas such as Heng Fa Chuen and Lei Yue Mun.
“The storm surge brought by Ragasa caused a general rise of more than 1.5 metres in water levels over the territory,” the local forecaster said.
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Water levels recorded at Victoria Harbour at one point reached about 3.4 metres above chart datum, while the peak levels at Tai Po Kau and Tsim Bei Tsui tide stations hit 3.8 metres above the reference mark, it said.