Heading for cover: Heavy rainfall has been recorded in most parts of Hong Kong, including Central.

An active trough of low pressure has brought Hong Kong unsettled weather, with heavy rainfall recorded in most parts of the city, the Hong Kong Observatory says.

The trough of low pressure affected South China coastal areas and the northern part of South China. Hong Kong Observatory issued the Strong Monsoon and Amber Rainstorm Warning Signals at 5.30am and 8.35am today, followed by the issue of a Northern New Territories Flood Warning at 10.50am. The Landslip Warning, issued at 9pm yesterday, is still in force.

Locally, the heavy rain this morning brought more than 150mm of rain to most parts of the city. Kwai Tsing, Lion Rock and Lantau recorded rainfall of over 300mm. At 8pm, there were 59 landslip, 28 flooding and 97 fallen tree cases reported.

The Home Affairs Department has opened nine temporary shelters in Yuen Long, North, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, Yau Tsim Mong and Hong Kong East for people in need of refuge. The department's Emergency Co-ordination Centre has been in operation since the issuance of the landslip warning last night. For enquiries, call 2835 1473.

Road closures

Sections of Victoria Road, Shouson Hill Road, Tai Hang Road and Middle Gap Road on Hong Kong Island have been temporarily closed due to landslips. Wylie Road near Wylie Path in Kowloon and Route Twisk near Kwong Pan Tin Tsuen in the New Territories have also been affected.

On Lantau, Tung Chung Road near Shek Mun Kap and South Lantau Road between Tong Fuk and Cheung Sha have been closed to traffic due to landslips. New Lantao Bus routes 3, 3M, 11, 23 and A35 have been suspended, while the ferry service between Tuen Mun, Sha Lo Wan and Tai O was suspended today due to rainstorms.

People are urged to use the Central - Mui Wo ferry service to travel to or from Lantau. For those in Tung Chung heading for Mui Wo, they may take bus DB01R to Discovery Bay, then change to a special bus to Nim Shue Wan and go to Mui Wo by ferry.  The ferry service will run from 8.45am to 8.05pm. Enquiries can be made to 9200 5638.

Slope inspection stepped up

The Civil Engineering & Development Department has activated its emergency control centre to respond to incidents and step up emergency inspection of slopes. As over 400mm of rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours in the most populated areas, hillsides may be saturated and more vulnerable to landslips.

People should stay away from slopes or retaining walls, and remain in a safe shelter while the Landslip Warning was still in force. If there are signs of landslip danger, they should keep away from the area and report the situation to the Police immediately.

Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Authority informed Hong Kong that water would be discharged from the Shenzhen reservoir from 1pm today. There may be a risk of flooding in some parts of the New Territories, and various government departments have taken necessary measures. Local residents have also been informed.

The Hong Kong Observatory said the weather would remain cloudy with rain and squally thunderstorms overnight. It will be rainy over the next few days.