This post examines whether Hong Kong has become overly cautious in shutting down everyday activity during heavy rainstorms.
I summarize the current three-tier rainstorm warning system, recount recent back-to-back black and red signals, and offer a practical perspective—rooted in three decades of observing urban resilience—on how the city might balance safety with keeping life and work moving.
How Hong Kong’s rainstorm signals work and why they matter
Hong Kong uses a clear, three-tier system—amber, red, and black rainstorm signals—to communicate the severity of rainfall and the associated risk to the public.
The system is designed to be simple and unambiguous: as the color escalates, so do the warnings about flooding, strong runoff and potential danger to transport and outdoor activities.
However, when signals are raised frequently or for sustained periods, the social and economic consequences can be significant.
Businesses pause, schools close, and commutes are disrupted—sometimes for long periods even when essential services are still functioning.
Recent back-to-back alerts: a case study
In a single August stretch the city recorded its fourth black rainstorm signal within eight days, an unprecedented frequency for that month.
Those events produced historic rainfall totals in parts of the territory and undeniably created hazardous conditions in certain neighborhoods.
During the same period, much of the transport network—taxis, minibuses and MTR lines—continued to serve commuters, often with only minor delay.
This dichotomy raises the question: should the issuance of a black or red signal automatically be treated as a blanket trigger to halt normal economic activity?
On-the-ground observations: commuting under red and black signals
Speaking from my own recent experience, I traveled across the harbour on a Monday under a red rainstorm alert to take part in a radio programme.
The trip was smooth; public transport ran, and taxis were available.
A heavy cloudburst hit shortly after my arrival, but services continued and I managed an uneventful return.
The next day brought a black signal.
Traffic volumes on main roads were light—many people had chosen to stay put—but key services such as minibuses and trains were operating efficiently.
My personal exposure consisted of getting only slightly wet, a minor inconvenience by any standard of urban weather.
Balancing safety with pragmatism
The rainstorm alert system is essential for raising awareness and prompting vulnerable communities to prepare.
Yet its downstream effects—automatic work stoppages, mass absenteeism, and sudden drops in productivity—warrant a nuanced approach.
We should consider adapting operational and communication protocols so that a signal triggers targeted advice rather than an automatic shutdown.
This allows those who can work safely to do so while ensuring vulnerable populations receive priority protection.
Practical suggestions for a measured response
Some practical measures that could help strike the right balance include:
Here is the source article for this story: Opinion | Is Hong Kong going to let extreme weather rain on productivity?