Hot tip as Hong Kong sweats

The Hong Kong Observatory yesterday issued its first extreme heat special weather tip as temperatures climbed to 35 degrees Celsius in several districts, including at the Sheung Shui basketball ground which hit 40 degrees.

The extreme hot weather was due to the outer subsiding air of Typhoon Mawar affecting the coast of southern China.

The observatory advised citizens to keep track of their health condition, drink more water, take heatstroke prevention measures and seek medical advice if they feel unwell.

The forecaster launched the new alert last Friday. A notification is sent through its mobile application, My Observatory, when temperatures reach 35 degrees or above.

The Labour Department issued the Amber Heat Stress at Work Warning at 12.30pm yesterday before taking it down at around 3.30pm.

Under the amber warning, which comes into effect when the Hong Kong heat index is between 30 and 32, workers with moderate outdoor physical workload - such as cleaners and delivery workers - are advised to take a 15-minute break per working hour.

"I'm getting headaches after being outdoors for a short time," said a citizen. "I had to drink cold water and enter shopping malls to cool down."

A student said: "Physical Education lessons were held indoors because of the heat. I took off my mask a few times going to school as the weather was difficult to bear."

At least three cases of heatstroke were reported.

In one case, a 71-year-old man experienced muscle cramps and dizziness after hiking for two hours in Tsing Yi. He got down from his trail with the help of firefighters and was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital.

The other two were hikers in Tung Chung and Sai Kung. They were rescued by the Government Flying Service helicopter and airlifted to hospital.

Meanwhile, air pollution levels in the city reached "serious" level yesterday afternoon.

The Environmental Protection Department expected that air pollution levels would remain high.

Monitoring stations in some districts recorded an Air Quality Health Index of 10+ - indicating a serious health risk.

Employers of outdoor workers are advised to assess the risks of outdoor work and take preventive measures to protect the health of employees. Children, patients and the elderly with heart and respiratory disease were advised to reduce physical activities outdoors.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Mawar will turn northwards gradually and move slowly in the next few days, staying around the eastern seas of Taiwan.

Temperatures will remain high over the next few days at an average of 33 degrees. And a few showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected throughout the week, according to the observatory.