"Apocalypse now?" – HK netizens stunned as violent storm brings 10k lightning strikes

Social media erupted with doomsday jokes and eerie snapshots as Hong Kong’s skies turned apocalyptic Thursday evening, with nearly 10,000 lightning strikes illuminating torrential rains—leaving netizens asking if the world was ending.

Hong Kong was lashed by severe thunderstorms yesterday evening (Jul 25), with the Observatory issuing amber and then red rainstorm warnings as torrential downpours and nearly 10,000 lightning strikes lit up the sky in a dramatic weather shift.

The day had started sunny and sweltering, but by dusk, ominous dark clouds rolled in, followed by howling winds, thunderous roars, and blinding flashes of lightning. Within moments, the city was drenched in heavy rain, with Sai Kung District particularly hard-hit.

The observatory recorded an astonishing 10,000 lightning strikes between 6pm and 9pm, turning the storm into a dazzling yet terrifying spectacle. 

Social media was flooded with photos and videos of the apocalyptic skies—thick black clouds swallowing the sunset, violent gusts whipping up debris, and jagged bolts of lightning splitting the darkened heavens.

Many residents jokingly questioned if "the end of the world had arrived," sharing eerie snapshots of the sudden tempest.