Hong Kong's iconic skyline reemerged in dramatic fashion Wednesday afternoon as authorities downgraded a black rainstorm warning to red following the passage of Typhoon Podul. The 11th typhoon of the season first made landfall in the Taiwan region at 1 p.m., bringing heavy winds before tracking northeast of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Residents and visitors witnessed rapidly clearing skies over Victoria Harbour, with the International Commerce Centre and Bank of China Tower standing resilient against lingering clouds. The Hong Kong Observatory confirmed sustained winds of 75 km/h during the storm's closest approach, with rainfall totals reaching 150mm in some areas.
While transportation networks resumed normal operations following the alert downgrade, officials cautioned residents to remain vigilant for potential landslides in hilly terrain. The storm's trajectory now points toward Guangdong province, where agricultural communities are preparing flood defenses.
This weather event highlights the complex interplay of urban resilience and climate challenges in Asia's coastal megacities. Business leaders note the incident underscores the importance of disaster-ready infrastructure for maintaining Hong Kong's status as a global financial hub.
