ENG-1954 — Page 307

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954

Rainfall was deficient throughout the period May to October, which is normally the rainy season; the reservoirs were never fully replenished and it became necessary to impose severe restrictions on the water supply during the following autumn and winter. The summer was a very hot one, for there were frequent spells of fine sunny weather; both in May and July the average daily maximum temperatures were the highest on record for the month.

Two typhoons affected the Colony during the year. The first of these, "Ida", whose centre passed some 90 miles to the SSW of Hong Kong on 29th August, gave rise to an easterly gale lasting for 12 hours. A maximum gust of 87 knots was recorded at the Royal Observatory. Three ships were stranded in the har- bour, but were subsequently refloated. Unfortunately this typhoon produced little rainfall.

"Pamela", a late-season typhoon whose centre passed about 30 miles to the SSW of Hong Kong on 6th November, resulted in another gale with a maximum gust of 84 knots.

knots. Five lives were lost, but little damage was done as ample warning had been given of the approach of the storm. As a result of this typhoon the rainfall for November was more than twice the normal amount and the water shortage was somewhat alleviated. The weather cleared up after the passage of "Pamela" and the early winter was as usual mainly fair and cool.

Some 30 typhoons and tropical storms were reported in the Far East during the year. Several recurved northward and crossed Japan, which had more than its share of typhoons in September. As an

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