Hongkongers warned to stay out of sun as mercury hits 35 degrees Celsius and air quality plunges
Sheung Shui in the New Territories sees temperature reach 35.1 degrees
Hong Kong sweltered under scorching hot temperatures and battled poor air quality on Saturday with areas all around the city recording unhealthy pollution levels.
By late afternoon, most areas around the city had air quality that posed a “serious” risk to health – the worst possible rating under the Environmental Protection Department’s index.
When air quality is rated “serious”, the department recommends members of the public cut time outside to a minimum.
The mercury crept up over 35 degrees Celsius in some parts of the city, including Sheung Shui and Yuen Long Park in the New Territories. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Observatory in Tsim Sha Tsui recorded a high of slightly less than 33 degrees.
On Saturday morning, the weather authority issued a “very hot” weather warning, telling residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and overexertion while outdoors.
“The risk of heatstroke is high,” the Observatory said. “When engaged in outdoor work or activities, drink plenty of water and avoid overexertion.”
The hot weather was expected to continue on Sunday, with a high of 34 degrees forecast.
Last month Hong Kong sweat through the highest temperature of the year, with the mercury soaring to 37.7 degrees Celsius in some areas.
That was still lower however than the hottest day in Hong Kong’s history, on August 8, 2015, when Happy Valley saw a temperature of 37.9.
