XN000022-1995-09-16 — Page 10

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Speaking at the passing-out parade of Nos 60 and 61 Inspector Induction Course and Nos 216-220 Customs Officer Induction Course this (Saturday) morning, Mr Patten said custom officers worked to defend Hong Kong's interests.

They help to protect the public from narcotics, to safeguard community revenues and to protect consumers' rights.

The Governor expressed hopes that they could maintain Hong Kong's reputation and serve the community with discipline and integrity.

End/Saturday, September 16, 1995

The weather of August

August was extremely wet. The total rainfall of 1,090.1 millimetres was the highest for the month of August and the third highest for any month since records began in Hong Kong in 1884. The month was unusually cloudy with total bright sunshine averaging at 4.5 hours per day.

There were seven days with rainfall over 50 millimetres. Torrential rain fell on August 12 to 14 when 448.3 millimetres were recorded at the Royal Observatory.

With monthly rainfall of about two point eight times the August normal of 391.4 millimetres, accumulated rainfall over the first eight months of 1995 amounted to 2,186,4 millimetres which was 28 per cent above the normal for the same period.

The August rain was mostly brought about by active southwesterlies in the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Gary which made landfall near Shantou at the end of July, and by the passages of Severe Tropical Storm Helen, Severe Tropical Storm Lois and Typhoon Kent during August. It was also the first August since 1946 when the No 8 Gale or Storm Signal had to be hoisted twice within the month.

Under the influence of an unstable southwesterlies in the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Gary, the first two days of the month were cloudy with heavy showers. Torrential rain and thunderstorms affected Hong Kong on August 3.

Between 150 and 300 millimetres were recorded in most parts of the territory and more than 30 reports of flooding and 17 landslips were received. The weather remained unsettled with heavy thundery showers until August 6 and 7 when rain eased off.

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