Hong Kong Battered by Nearly 10,000 Lightning Strikes, Causing Airport Delays and Damaging Opera Theatre

Hong Kong was hit by a staggering 9,437 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, according to the city's weather observatory. The intense thunderstorm caused significant disruptions, including delays at Hong Kong's international airport and damage to a Cantonese opera theatre in the Sai Kung region.

The Hong Kong Observatory reported that the majority of the lightning strikes hit the New Territories East region, with Hong Kong island being the second-largest recipient. In a single hour on Tuesday evening, the observatory recorded an astonishing 5,914 lightning bolts. The storm brought heavy showers and violent winds, which whipped at the bamboo scaffolding of the opera theatre in Sai Kung.

The severe weather conditions led to delays at Hong Kong International Airport, with several planes diverted on Tuesday evening. The disruptions came as China's Golden Week holiday period kicked off, with the city expecting an influx of tourists. A planned pyrotechnics show on Wednesday evening to mark the start of the holiday was also likely affected by the thunderstorms.

Why this matters: The lightning storm's impact on Hong Kong highlights the city's vulnerability to severe weather events and the need for robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness. As a major international hub, disruptions at Hong Kong's airport can have far-reaching consequences for travelers and businesses alike.

Despite the challenging conditions, some events continued as planned, such as the dragon boat races on Lamma Island during Wednesday's Tin Hau Festival. The Hong Kong Observatory warned that showers and "squally thunderstorms" would persist through the evening and into Thursday. However, the city can expect hotter and brighter weather early next week, providing some relief from the recent storms.

Key Takeaways

• Hong Kong hit by 9,437 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in one night.
• Intense thunderstorm caused disruptions at Hong Kong's international airport.
• Damage reported to a Cantonese opera theatre in the Sai Kung region.
• Severe weather led to delays and diversions of flights during China's Golden Week.
• Thunderstorms to persist, but hotter and brighter weather expected next week.