The scorching weather in Hong Kong is expected to persist through Thursday, with the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) forecasting temperatures in some areas to reach 37 C or higher at the start of the week, while the summer travel boom shows no signs of cooling.
The observatory said Tropical Cyclone Dolphin’s outer subsiding air will continue to bring extremely hot weather to the territory as it moves across eastern China.
“High-temperature weather is expected to continue on Wednesday and Thursday,” the HKO said.
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By 1 pm on Monday, the mercury had soared to 38.4 C in Sheung Shui, 37.9 C in Wong Tai Sin, 37.1 C in Yuen Long Park, and 37 C in Happy Valley, according to the HKO.
Sunday marked Hong Kong’s hottest day on record since 1884, with the temperature reaching 36.9 C. A 64-year-old man hiking in Tai Po collapsed apparently from heatstroke and died while being taken to a hospital.
With the very hot weather warning still in force, the Centre for Health Protection has urged the public to avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged outdoor activities such as hiking, and to schedule any necessary outdoor pursuits in the morning or late afternoon with adequate water supplies.
Hong Kong Tourism Association Executive Director Timothy Chui Ting-pong also suggested visitors avoid outdoor activities such as hiking.
He also recommended carrying a light jacket when entering shopping malls or taking the MTR, as the air‑conditioning inside can be quite chilly, to prevent any discomfort caused by sudden temperature changes.
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However, the heat has not dampened the influx of tourists. About 219,000 Chinese mainland visitors arrived on Saturday — the highest Saturday total since the Labor Day Golden Week in early May — and another about 188,000 came on Sunday.
Speaking to China Daily, Li, who traveled from Shenzhen with a friend, said they had strolled around the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, but found the weather even hotter than expected. They therefore decided to cancel her planned sunset visit to Kennedy Town, opting instead to head straight home.
She also said there was a lack of free places to escape the heat, with most venues requiring payment for admission.
Chen, who was taking shelter with a friend in the shade beside the Hong Kong Museum of Art, said she had arrived from the mainland on Saturday to visit relatives. She said she felt the heat intensely and added that they had no fixed itinerary for the trip.
Contact the writers at philiptubeza@chinadailyhk.com
