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Extreme weather

Extreme weather
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Extreme weather. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Lightning flashes over the Hong Kong skyline above Victoria Harbour. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong cancels all rainstorm warnings but showers, thunderstorms to persist

Heavy showers and squally thunderstorms are expected until midweek, while high temperatures will ease, Observatory says.

South Korea

Young South Koreans embrace ‘plogging’ to cope with climate anxiety

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Japan

Typhoon Jangmi churns along Japan’s Pacific coast, leaves dozens hurt

Hong Kong transport

More Hong Kong airlines cancel flights as Typhoon Jangmi bears down on Tokyo

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay Airlines cancel, reschedule flights as Typhoon Jangmi batters Japan.

Waves lash the coastline of Minamiboso in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture as Typhoon Jangmi approaches on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Climate change

Letters | In age of climate whiplash, Asian solutions need philanthropic support

Readers discuss how philanthropy can respond to Asia’s climate challenges, the mismatch between Hong Kong’s ride-hailing cap and the reality of gig work, and the data centre rush.

Climate change

‘On our doorstep’: UN warns world to prepare for El Nino extreme weather

UN chief warns that the phenomenon, expected within months, will ‘pour fuel on the fire’ of global heating.

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Hong Kong transport

HK Express cancels 6 Hong Kong-Okinawa flights as Typhoon Jangmi nears Japan

Airline says special ticket arrangements are in place for affected passengers.

A HK Express aircraft approaches Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong’s urban renewal plan must include best of the past

The city’s tong lau arcades, high-density blocks and webs of skywalks have long been telling us what a humane, climate-aware city can look like.

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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong issues amber rainstorm warning after intense heatwave grips city

Parts of New Territories record maximum temperature of 36.7 degrees by mid-afternoon on Friday, the hottest for 2026 so far.

Climate change

Earth is hot and getting hotter: UN warns next 5 years likely to smash records

Climate agencies predict planet will experience a new hottest-ever year before 2031.

A parched field mirrors the rising global temperatures that the UN warns will shatter records over the next five years. Photo: AP
Accidents and disasters in China

Video | At least 9 dead, 11 missing amid severe flooding in central China

Chinese officials have issued a Level 4 flood alert for Hubei province and Chongqing.

A drone view of Anxi village following flash floods and landslides triggered by extreme rainfall, in Yongchuan district, Chongqing, China May 24, 2026. cnsphoto via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT.
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Laos

5 of 7 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave found alive

A Thai-led rescue team broke through to an area where they found the five villagers on a muddy ledge, but two others remain missing.

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Laos

Video | Rescuers race to save miners in flooded Laos cave

Thai teams have joined the mission, as rescuers share photos of the treacherous conditions in the cave tunnel.

Weather

Exceptionally early heatwave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe

Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down.

A pharmacy thermometer sign reading 38 degrees Celsius in Lyon on Tuesday, as a heatwave hits France. Photo: AFP
India

Video | Indian heatwave sickens livestock ahead of Eid al-Adha

Although the festival of Eid al-Adha involves animal sacrifice, Islamic law explicitly forbids using sick livestock.

A Kashmiri man holds a goat after buying it at a livestock market ahead of the Eid al-Adha festival in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, May 25, 2026. REUTERS/Sharafat Ali
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Britain

‘Heat dome’ over Europe scorches UK, France, Italy and Spain

The continent is baking under unseasonal heat that is shattering spring temperature records.

Middle East

Muslims begin haj in sweltering heat and shadow of Middle East tensions

Over 1.5 million faithful gather as annual sacred rites in Mecca officially get under way.

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Hong Kong weather

Editorial | First severe storm of the year shows city’s response can be improved

There were no serious injuries as the government response kicked in, but too many structural gaps remain.

Heavy rain in Fanling on May 20, hours before the Observatory issued a red rainstorm warning. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong weather

‘Soaking wet’: Hong Kong parents furious after last-minute rain warning change

‘I kept an eye on the weather all night, only for them to switch to an amber rainstorm warning at the last minute – you’ve got to be kidding me,’ one parent says.

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United States

Thousands ordered to evacuate as Southern California wildfire threatens homes

Wind-driven Sandy Fire forces evacuations in Simi Valley, threatening properties.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Improved defences will help Hong Kong weather typhoon season

Having learned lessons from Ragasa, the government has published guidelines, prepared barriers and employed technology from drones to AI.

Sandbags at flood-prone Lei Yue Mun ahead of Super Typhoon Ragasa’s approach on September 23. The city has 50,000 sandbags ready this year. Photo: Sam Tsang
Aviation accidents

‘Miraculous’ rescue off US coast as 11 survive crash and 5-hour sea ordeal

Rescuers hoist final survivor into helicopter with just minutes of fuel remaining as a thunderstorm approached.

The survivors being hoisted to safety. Photo: US Air Force via AP)
South Korea

South Korea adds ‘extreme heat emergency’ to first major alert update in decades

Over the past five years, the average number of heatwave days and tropical nights has surged nearly threefold compared to the 1970s.

Climate change

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

Experts warn the heat could increase the risk of localised flooding, put pressure on drainage systems and threaten agricultural production.

Nepal

US climber dies in avalanche on Nepal’s Mount Makalu

Three Nepali guides and a Czech climber have died in the Himalayas so far this season.

A general view of the landscape with snow-covered mountains in Nepal’s Mustang District. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks. Photo: EPA
India

Heat-triggered insurance offers cold cash cushion for India’s outdoor workers

India lost an estimated 247 billion hours of labour to extreme heat in 2024, equivalent to nearly US$194 billion in economic losses.

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Lata Solanki (left) sells clothes door to door on April 28. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Bus and oil tanker collide in Indonesia, killing at least 16 people

The bus driver, 13 passengers, the tanker’s driver and assistant all burned to death inside the vehicles.

Malaysia

Malaysia warns of health risks from heatwave, 2 deaths recorded this year

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered cloud-seeding operations to be carried out in the worst-affected states.

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