The Very Hot Weather Warning remains in effect, with urban temperatures reaching about 35°C yesterday (Aug. 11) and parts of the New Territories recording above 37°C. Under the scorching heat, grassroots residents bear the brunt—subdivided-flat dwellers describe their units as "like steam ovens," elderly living alone endure indoor heat because they are reluctant to turn on air conditioning, and homeless people drift between parks and cooling shelters.
In response to the extreme heatwave, the Home Affairs Department has upgraded services at its 19 temporary cooling centres, while 15 Community Living Rooms have opened their doors wide. Care teams across districts are proactively visiting households, forming a citywide support network for heat relief. Usage of temporary cooling centres and Community Living Rooms has surged in recent days, with some subdivided-flat residents calling the Community Living Rooms "a second home under the scorching heat."
The Hong Kong Observatory forecasts today's urban maximum temperature at around 34°C, with the New Territories two to three degrees higher and extreme heat in some areas. Thursday is also expected to remain very hot.
Grassroots Families Rely on Cooling Centres to Save Electricity Bills
Many grassroots residents depend on community cooling centres to get through the heat. The Home Affairs Department operates 19 community halls and community centres as temporary cooling centres throughout the day, providing nearby residents with a place to rest and cool off, and offering bedding and sleeping areas for those in need from 10:30 pm to 8:00 am the following morning. This year, the cooling centres have introduced a series of upgraded services, including enhanced cooling and ventilation equipment, more accessible drinking water dispensers, personalised cooling items, more comfortable rest areas, and improved ladies-only zones. Some centres also provide food catering to the dietary needs of ethnic minorities.
A Ta Kung Pao reporter visited a temporary cooling centre near Wan Chai Market yesterday. A homeless woman surnamed Tam told the reporter that she sleeps at the cooling centre every night during the hot summer. Normally only four or five homeless people stay overnight, but recently the number has multiplied several times. "Nearly 20 people come to stay overnight every night, including many who have their own homes but are reluctant to turn on the air conditioning to save money," she said. Staff at the centre proactively ask visitors about their needs and offer help wherever possible.
For families living in subdivided flats, the cramped indoor temperature is often even higher than outdoors, like an oven; leaving the air conditioner on all day is a worry due to high electricity bills – a dilemma. In recent years, the government has not only introduced light public housing to shorten waiting times, but has also actively promoted the "Community Living Room Scheme," providing additional activity space and various support services for subdivided-flat families. Under the high temperatures, the 15 Community Living Rooms across multiple districts have become popular cooling-off havens for many subdivided-flat residents.
Community Living Room's Shower Facilities Become Cooling Amenities
The Community Living Room on Ko Shan Road was bustling during the dinner hour last night. Pian Pian, a mother living in a subdivided flat in To Kwa Wan, came with her family for dinner, sitting together with several familiar neighbour families and enjoying their meals amid laughter. After dinner, the children sat near the fans, eating ice lollies while watching TV or sharing stories from school.
"The weather has been especially hot lately, so we come here even more often," Pian Pian said. She and her family visit the Community Living Room almost every day; her home is cramped and the afternoon heat makes it feel like a sauna. The Community Living Room is spacious – "my son jokes that this is our second home, and we feel a real sense of belonging here," she said. Pian Pian added that social workers have helped relieve parenting pressures, and the activities have strengthened their community ties. She expressed gratitude to the government and social workers for benefiting grassroots families.
An assistant social work officer of the Care Association, which operates the Ko Shan Road Community Living Room, said that the number of visitors has risen significantly during the recent heatwave. Many residents come not only to enjoy the air conditioning; some take short naps in the rest area, and the number of people using the shower facilities has also increased sharply – the bathroom amenities have become a de facto "cooling device."
Care Teams Visit Elderly and Deliver Cooling Supplies
Community care services have continued uninterrupted despite the sweltering heat. Care teams across districts are making door‑to‑door visits to vulnerable households, checking on residents' health conditions and home cooling measures, and reminding them of heatstroke prevention tips. Eastern District Councillor and leader of the Quarry Bay Care Team, Ting Kong-ho, told Ta Kung Pao yesterday that the team has been visiting multiple needy families daily, focusing on elderly living alone, double‑elderly households, and grassroots families in old buildings. In addition to distributing cooling towels, water and other supplies, they inform residents about community centres and cooling centres, and urge the elderly to rest in cooler places during the hottest hours of the day.
Kwai Tsing District Councillor and leader of the Ching Fat Care Team, Lam Chui-ling, said that team members have been conducting home visits continuously, providing practical support to the elderly and families in need. During visits, the team prioritises checking the elderly's health conditions, urging them to drink more water, open windows and use fans for ventilation; they also provide blood pressure monitors and teach residents how to use them. Many elderly households have air conditioners but are reluctant to turn them on; care team members patiently persuade them. For those with limited financial means who cannot afford fans, the team installs them free of charge.
Power Outage in Yuen Long Leaves 2,400 Households Affected
A power outage hit Shui Pin Wai Estate in Yuen Long yesterday, affecting 2,400 households. Under the sweltering heat, a large number of residents were awakened by the heat in the middle of the night, and several elderly people were trapped due to ventilator shutdowns and lift failures. Care teams and district councillors arrived at the scene around 5:00 am to distribute water, while an elderly centre provided meals and portable chargers. The Water Supplies Department set up temporary street water outlets to supply emergency drinking water.
(Editor: Liu Yu)
Related News:
Deepline | Ta Kung Pao: Hong Kong work visa approvals more than double in 5 years
Deepline | Ta Kung Pao: Talent and capital still flowing to HK, Roach's claims 'don't hold up'
Comment