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Hong Kong breaks 140-year temperature record
Hong Kong recorded its highest temperature since 1884, reaching 36.9°C at the Hong Kong Observatory in Tsim Sha Tsui. In Sheung Shui, temperatures hit 39.8°C, the highest recorded since automatic weather stations were introduced in the 1980s. The extreme heat is attributed to the outer subsiding air of Tropical Cyclone Dolphin.
The record-breaking heat has sparked intense debate regarding the city's heat stress warning system. Despite the extreme conditions, the Labour Department maintained a 'yellow' warning, the lowest level. This has led to criticism from meteorologists and labor unions, who argue the current index fails to adequately account for solar radiation, making it ineffective for outdoor workers like construction laborers and delivery personnel.
In response, the Labour Department has acknowledged the need to review and optimize the warning mechanism to increase its sensitivity. Meanwhile, public transport users have also reported discomfort, with reports indicating that some bus companies have implemented temperature limits on air conditioning to manage costs, leading to warmer cabin temperatures during the heatwave.
Entities
Hong Kong · Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union · Hong Kong Observatory · Kowloon Bus · Labour Department · Lin Chao-ying · Tropical Cyclone Dolphin · Typhoon Dolphin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Hong Kong recorded a temperature of 36.9°C at the Observatory headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday. www.stheadline.com · www.lykavitos.gr · oncenoticias.digital · www.theguardian.com · www.actualno.com · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The extreme heat was caused by the outer subsiding air of Tropical Cyclone Dolphin. oncenoticias.digital · www.theguardian.com · www.actualno.com · www.humanite.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sheung Shui recorded a temperature of 39.8°C, the highest since automatic weather stations were installed in the 1980s. www.humanite.fr · www.theguardian.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Citybus stated its air conditioning systems are constant temperature devices set based on operational experience. www.stheadline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Labour Department maintained a 'yellow' heat stress warning despite the record-breaking temperatures. www.stheadline.com · www.scmp.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former Observatory Director Lin Chao-ying criticized the heat stress index for not adequately accounting for solar radiation for outdoor workers. www.stheadline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] KMB has recently limited bus air conditioning outlet temperatures to between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius. www.stheadline.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Labour Department plans to review and optimize the heat stress warning mechanism to increase sensitivity. www.stheadline.com