High-speed rail services between Hong Kong and southern Guangzhou were suspended or redirected on Thursday in response to severe weather in mainland China.
The MTR Corporation said authorities across the border had informed it of the suspension of Guangzhou South-bound routes G6528, G6516, G6530 and G6536, as well as Hong Kong-bound routes G6527, G6515, G6529 and G6535.
Hong Kong’s rail operator added that two routes between the city’s West Kowloon terminus and Guangzhou South, G6510 and G6511, were redirected to Shenzhen North.
The company also reminded passengers to check the service’s website at 12306.cn, as well as its own page and mobile app for more details.
The service changes were prompted by ongoing heavy rainfall in Guangdong province, where flooding has killed at least four people and displaced tens of thousands more.
Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Jiangmen and Yangjiang were among the cities rocked by the severe weather in recent days as rainbands moving south reached the coast.
Over in Hong Kong, the local forecaster said the city could expect patches of unstable weather this week.
The Hong Kong Observatory at 9am Thursday said residents should brace for thunder and showers in several hours’ time.
“Showers will be heavy at times. Members of the public should be on the alert,” it said.
Hong Kong told to brace for heavy showers, squally thunderstorms in coming days
Hong Kong told to brace for heavy showers, squally thunderstorms in coming days
The forecaster also warned residents to expect heavy showers and squally thunderstorms in the coming days.
“With the trough of low pressure moving away early next week, showers will ease off slightly over the region,” the Observatory said. “Another trough of low pressure is expected to bring unsettled weather to southern China midweek next week.”