XN000022-1995-08-12+13 — Page 4

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Weather of July

July was very wet with above average monthly rainfall registered for the first time this year. The total rainfall in the month, 668.7 millimetres, was more than twice the average, making it the seventh wettest July since records began in 1884. The accumulated rainfall in the first seven months of this year rose to 1,096.3 millimetres, but was still some 17 per cent below the normal for the same period.

Unsettled conditions associated with low pressure troughs and active southwest monsoon characterised the weather on most days of the month. There were seven days with rainfall of over 50 millimetres. The tropical cyclone warning signal was hoisted for the first time this year with the approach of Severe Tropical Storm Gary.

The first day of the month was mainly fine apart from some brief showers. With the active southwest monsoon setting in, the weather turned showery with heavy thunderstorms prevalent during the next couple of days. Twenty-two reports of flooding were received on July 3. A landslide destroyed two houses in Tsuen Wan and rendered 22 people homeless. Under the influence of a trough of low pressure over Guangdong, more rain fell on the following two days.

A ridge of high pressure extended westwards from the Pacific to the south China coast and dominated the local weather from July 6 to 8. There were lengthy periods of sunshine amidst isolated showers. As the ridge retreated on July 9, showers became frequent.

In the next couple of days, it was generally fine and hot. An unstable maritime airstream brought widespread rain and thunderstorms to the coastal areas of Guangdong on July 12. Locally, heavy showers in the early morning were followed by torrential rain in the evening and more than 150 millimetres of rain fell in Sha Tin and Tai Po that day. During the deluge, a man working on a barge at Tuen Mun fell into the sea and was reported missing.

Torrential rain and thunderstorms continued to affect Hong Kong until July 15. There were a total of 16 landslips and 75 floodings reported. Four persons were injured in Sha Tin and Tai Po and 17 others had to be evacuated from their huts in Tsing Yi. Temperatures fell to the month's minimum of 23.5 degrees during a heavy downpour on the afternoon of July 15.