Hong Kong’s rainfall so far this month has already surpassed typical levels for July by 23 per cent, a review of Observatory data shows, with a meteorologist warning the city will experience more extreme downpours due to global warming. The Observatory also said on Tuesday that Hong Kong would be hit by rainstorms again over…
Videos of flash-flooded rivers and overflowing pavements went viral on social media on Wednesday as residents in parts of Hong Kong grappled with more than 70 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. The intensity of the floods prompted some users online to claim a picture of the extreme was outdated or even AI-generated, only to…
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has warned of record high temperatures this year and next, with a developing El Nino potentially becoming the strongest on record. The Observatory said on Monday that sea surface temperatures…
The El Nino weather phenomenon could turn the four to seven tropical cyclones predicted to hit Hong Kong this year into super typhoons, the Observatory has said. The weather forecaster also said on Thursday that the 33.4 degrees Celsius (92.1 Fahrenheit) recorded at its Tsim Sha Tsui headquarters was likely to be surpassed on Friday,…
Extreme weather brought about by the El Nino phenomenon could cost Hong Kong as much as US$300 billion over the 21st century, according to a joint study by local and Singapore universities. The study also painted a bleak picture for public health, finding that Hongkongers born during the two strong El Nino events in 1982-83…
The United States has deployed three naval vessels—including two aircraft carriers—capable of operating F-35 stealth fighter jets across the Western Pacific this week amid China’s rapidly growing sea power and expanding maritime activity in the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Why It Matters The F-35 is…
China continues to flex its fast-growing naval power by deploying multiple groups of warships across the western Pacific simultaneously, according to a Newsweek map. Lin Jian, spokesperson for China‘s Foreign Ministry, said last week that Chinese naval and Coast Guard vessels operate at sea in accordance with international law, urging “relevant parties” not to overreact…
The United States conducted a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean Tuesday, killing two people, defense secretary Pete Hegseth said. “We will find and terminate EVERY vessel with the intention of trafficking drugs to America to poison our citizens,” Pete Hegseth said.(Reuters/ X: @SecWar) The fresh strike, reportedly 16th in…
Beneath the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean lie small, black, potato-sized treasures – polymetallic nodules rich in valuable metals and rare earth elements – waiting to be unearthed. Strewn across the sea floor of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, the coveted nodules and other forms of ocean deposits are gaining widespread attention. Yet…
The U.S. Coast Guard says it seized over $220 million worth of cocaine in multiple recent interceptions of alleged drug boats. At least one operation apparently left a small vessel burning. The crew of the USCG Cutter Midgett intercepted four different alleged drug-smuggling vessels off the coasts of Mexico, Central America and South America during…