Overnight, Hong Kong Struck by Approximately 10,000 Lightning Strikes | Global News

Hong Kong was hit by nearly 10,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, causing a spectacular display of nature’s power in the Chinese city. The city’s weather observatory recorded a staggering 5,914 lightning bolts in just one hour as heavy rain poured down on the streets.

Residents of Hong Kong, accustomed to high humidity levels in April leading up to the monsoon season, were not surprised by the sudden downpours during their daily commutes. The majority of the lightning strikes hit the New Territories East region, with Hong Kong Island also experiencing a significant number of strikes, illuminating the towering residential buildings in the area.

The thunderstorm on Tuesday night caused delays at Hong Kong’s international airport and even wreaked havoc in the eastern Sai Kung region, where violent winds damaged a Cantonese opera theatre made of bamboo scaffolding, as seen in videos shared on social media.

The observatory warned that showers and “squally thunderstorms” would continue through the evening and into Thursday, disrupting plans for a pyrotechnics show scheduled to mark the start of China’s Golden Week. Despite the stormy weather, Chinese travelers were expected to holiday in Hong Kong during this period.

The dramatic lightning storm served as a reminder of nature’s unpredictable power and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events in this bustling city.