Building resilience against future flooding events in Hong Kong

Extreme weather is on the rise in Hong Kong. Intense heatwaves, stronger, more frequent typhoons and increased heavy rainfall are all posing challenges for residents. One key problem we are seeing is more flooding, particularly after extreme weather events.

On 8 September 2023, Hong Kong experienced its highest rainfall since records began in 1884, with more than 600 millimetres of rain falling in 24 hours and bringing the city to a standstill. The damage was extensive, with roads turning into rivers and several people losing their lives. Just a few months ago, in May, Hong Kong was again lashed by an extreme rainstorm. The deluge caused 16 floods in the areas of Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung and Kwun Tong, affecting schools, businesses, traffic and recreational activities.

Unfortunately, this type of scenario is going to become more commonplace. According to a study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong published last year, heavy rainfall will become more frequent and severe, eventually evolving into the new norm. Disturbingly, the study projected an increase of over 40% in extreme rainfall in 2040-2049, implying that we are all going to have to learn to cope with floods, one way or another.

So, what can you do to protect yourself from the inevitable increase in flooding in Hong Kong?

Firstly, exercise common sense. If there’s a rainstorm forecast, find somewhere safe and wait for it to pass. As rainstorms become heavier and more frequent, thus increasing the likelihood of flooding, it may be unwise to attempt to rush home in the event of a Black Rainstorm Signal being hoisted. Public transport could be inundated and floodwaters could make progress all but impossible.

Think very carefully about the need to make any journey by car. During the 8 September  event, cars were left stranded in floodwater, with reports of roads sinking and at least 39 landslides taking place. You should also consider the risks associated with entering underground car parks during rainstorms. In Chai Wan, one such car park was devastated twice by flooding in the space of a week, with many of the cars being almost completely submerged in the first incident.

With many of us living in high-rise apartment blocks, you might think that there isn’t much risk of damage arising from flooding. However, if your windows aren’t adequately sealed there is a chance of water ingress affecting your home. Flooding can also cause power outages, so ensure you have adequate supplies for such an eventuality. For those of us living in village houses or low-rise buildings, you can help reduce the risk of groundwater flooding by clearing all drains and gutters of leaves to prevent water collecting during rainstorms.

A further step is to buy adequate home insurance that covers the contents of your home, as well as valuable items, as these can get damaged during extreme weather events. Some plans will even help offset the cost of alternative accommodation if you need to vacate your home for repairs.

In the coming decades, flooding due to climate change is likely to affect more of us in Hong Kong. Rather than ignoring this possibility, we can start making plans to lessen risk of flooding to our homes and personal safety.

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