ENG-1981 — Page 307

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THE ENVIRONMENT

July was cloudier and slightly cooler than usual. Winds were strong on July 3 as Typhoon Kelly crossed the South China Sea. The only gale or storm signals of the year were hoisted for 28 hours 45 minutes for Severe Tropical Storm Lynn which passed about 150 km to the southwest on July 7. Some 32 people were injured, mostly by falling objects. In western Guangdong, five people were killed and there was considerable damage. A sunny spell lasted from July 9 to 17. The maximum temperature of 33.3°C on July 17 was the highest of the year. There were thunderstorms on July 22 and 23 as the remnant of Severe Tropical Storm Mary moved along the South China Coast after hitting Taipei. More thunderstorms occurred on July 27 causing flooding and minor landslips in various parts of Hong Kong. In Sichuan, violent rainstorms between July 9-14 caused the province's worst floods of the century. About 750 people were drowned and 1.5 million people made homeless. There were also serious floods in the northern part of India and about 15 million people were affected.

August 1981 was the fourth driest August on record. However, serious floods affected northern Thailand, Burma, Japan, Korea and also the Shaanxi, Sichuan and Liaoning provinces of China. August 1981 was also the second hottest August on record with a mean temperature of 29.1°C. Nine tropical cyclones developed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea during the month. Winds freshened on August 8 as Tropical Storm Roy crossed the South China Sea. Temperatures rose to a maximum of 33.3°C on August 21 and 26, the same as on July 17 and the highest of the year.

September was wetter, cloudier and slightly cooler than usual. The total duration of sunshine during the month was 132.3 hours, which was the third lowest on record for September. A fishing junk foundered in squally thunderstorms about 90 km west- shouthwest of Hong Kong on September 3. All the fishermen were saved. Typhoon Clara caused a period of strong northwesterly winds during the night of September 21. It crossed the China coast near Shanwei on September 22 causing the death of 62 people in south China. Another junk capsized in squally thunderstorms about 70 km east of Hong Kong on September 24. Three people were drowned. Widespread thunderstorms and violent showers occurred early on September 29, making it the wettest day this year. The heaviest downpour occurred between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. when 182.0 mm of rainfall were recorded at Hong Kong International Airport. There were numerous reports of flooding, landslips and road subsidences. Three people were killed.

October was slightly cooler and cloudier than usual. The total rainfall from June to October amounted to only 1 018.3 mm, which was the seventh lowest on record. The Strong Monsoon Signal was hoisted on four occasions during the month. A Chinese freighter ran aground and sank off Mirs Bay late on October 4. The crew of 29 were saved. Heavy showers on October 5 resulted in a five-tonne boulder rolling down a hillside adjoining Ching Cheung Road, Cheung Sha Wan, and making a seven-square metre hole in a classroom wall. No one was hurt. An intense cold front arrived on October 22 and the minimum temperature of 14.8°C reached on October 24 was the third lowest on record for October.

November was cooler and cloudier than usual. The Strong Monsoon Signal was hoisted on four occasions during the month. A cold front brought heavy rain on November 2. Northerly winds on November 30 resulted in a Chinese junk sinking in rough seas about 40 km southeast of Hong Kong with 13 crewmen reported missing.

December was drier and sunnier but cooler than usual. The continental anticyclone dominated China throughout the month and the mean sea-level pressure of 1022.6 hectopascals in Hong Kong was the second highest on record for December. A fine and