Robotic ‘dragons’ clear flooding after intense downpours hit Hong Kong

Seven flooding cases hit New Territories as of 5am, all cleared by drainage crews using ‘water-pumping dragons’

Hong Kong emergency crews worked around the clock with robotic “water-pumping dragons” to clear widespread flooding in the northern New Territories after intense downpours triggered a brief red rainstorm warning early Thursday.

The red rainstorm signal was issued at 2.40am, following an amber warning that had been in force since 9pm on Wednesday and a flooding alert for the northern New Territories. The signal was downgraded to amber at 5.15am, which was later cancelled at 9.30am, along with the flooding alert.

The Hong Kong Observatory said heavy showers and squally thunderstorms associated with upper-air disturbances were persistently affecting the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary.

More than 50mm of rain fell across many areas in the morning, exceeding 100mm in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, Tai Po and Sai Kung, the forecaster said.

“With the upper-air disturbances departing from the coastal areas, showers will ease off and the weather will improve [on Friday],” the forecaster said.

Videos and pictures circulating on social media platform Threads show a KMB double-decker ploughing through severe flooding along Ping Che Road in Fanling.