Living
Warning Signals
Information on tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning signals is available from TV broadcasts, notice boards in the buildings and on campus, Yahoo!, and the website of Hong Kong Observatory, etc. Students may also install the mobile app of Hong Kong Observatory to receive instant notices about the weather in Hong Kong. There will be special arrangement for lectures and examinations when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above or “Black” Rainstorm Signal is hoisted.
Rainstorm warning system
In Hong Kong, rainstorms and thunderstorms are common during summer. The Hong Kong Observatory operates a colour rainstorm warning system for different intensity of rainstorms:
Sign
Signal
Definition and Precautions
Amber rainstorm signal
Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimeters in an hour, and is likely to continue.
Red rainstorm signal
Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 50 millimeters in an hour, and is likely to continue.
Black rainstorm signal
Very heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimeters in an hour, and is likely to continue.
Tropical Cyclone Warning System
Tropical cyclones normally occur during the months of May to November and are particularly prevalent during September. The Hong Kong Observatory operates a tropical cyclone warning system according to the power and direction of the wind. Below are the warning signs and their definitions:
Sign
Warning Signal
Definition and Precautions
Signal No. 1
(Stand-By)
A tropical cyclone is centered within about 800 km of Hong Kong and may affect the territory.
Signal No. 3
(Strong Wind)
Strong wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, with a sustained speed of 41-62 km/h, and gusts which may exceed 110 km/h, and the wind condition is expected to persist.
Signal No. 8
(Gale or Storm)
Gale or storm force wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, with a sustained and gusts which may exceed 180 km/h, and the wind condition is expected to persist.
Signal No. 9
(Increasing Gale or Storm)
Gale or storm force wind is increasing or expected to increase significantly in strength.
Signal No. 10
(Hurricane)
Hurricane force wind is expected or blowing with sustained speed reaching upwards from 118 km/h and gusts that may exceed 220 km/h.
Remarks: Normally, the Hong Kong Observatory makes announcement around 2 hours in advance before hoisting a Signal No.8. When Signal No.8 or above is hoisted, most stores and all banks are closed and public transportation services are limited or even suspended.
Arrangement of Classes and Examinations under Bad Weather Conditions
Arrangements for Classes
When Signal No. 8 or above/ Black rainstorm/ Extreme Conditions is hoisted, the University will make the following arrangements:
| Warning Signals | Time | Arrangements |
|---|---|---|
Signal No. 8 or above | When classes are in progress | All classes in progress will be suspended immediately. (For the Black rainstorm, classes will continue until the completion of the session.) |
| Between 6:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. | Classes with commencement time before 1:00pm will be cancelled. | |
| Between 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. | Classes with commencement time before 6:00pm will be cancelled. | |
| After 3:00 p.m. | Classes with commencing time after 3:00 p.m. will be cancelled. |
Examination Arrangements
When Signal No. 8 or above/ Black rainstorm/ Extreme Conditions is hoisted, the University will make the following examination arrangements:
| Warning Signals | Time | Arrangements |
|---|---|---|
Signal No. 8 or above | Examinations which are in progress | Examination will continue until the completion of the sessions. |
| Between 6:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. | Examinations commencing at or before 1:30 p.m. will be postponed. | |
| Between 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. | Examinations commencing at or before 6:00 p.m. will be postponed. | |
| After 3:00 p.m. | Examinations commencing after 3:00 p.m. will be postponed. |
Remarks: All examinations which have been postponed due to bad weather conditions will be conducted at the same hours on the first working day after the last day of the examination.
For more information, please refer to the following website:
http://ar.hkbu.edu.hk/curr/arrange_classes_exam_bad_weather/arrange_classes/
Community Resources
Police Stations
The Hong Kong Police Force is responsible for law enforcement and keeping citizens and property safe. Police stations are located at various districts of Hong Kong for providing services to the public.
If you want to report a crime, report for lost property or provide information for a case, etc., you can go to the police station directly. For emergency situations, you can call 999 for assistance (Please refer to Off campus emergency support).
Location and contact information of police stations: https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/contact_us.html#rr
The Hong Kong Public Libraries
The Hong Kong Public Libraries provides a network of 70 static libraries and 12 mobile libraries. The Hong Kong Central Library at Causeway Bay is now the largest public library in Hong Kong with a capacity of holding 2 million items of library materials.
Locations of Hong Kong Public Libraries: https://www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/locations/libraries.html
Sports Facilities
Various sports facilities are available in different district in Hong Kong for the public’s use.
| Outdoor Pitches/Courts | Unless the pitches/courts have been reserved by other organizations, they are available for public use. No reservation needed. |
| Sports Grounds | Running tracks in most of the sports grounds are open for jogging for free unless the sports grounds have been reserved by other organizations for exclusive use. |
| Swimming Pool | The outdoor pools are only open during the summer and the indoor pools are open all year round. Admission fee is $17-19 per session (4 hours). |
| Sports Centre | Users have to make reservations to use the facilities, such as badminton, table tennis and squash, etc. The hirer must register at the check-in counter before using the facilities. |
Locations of sports facilities:
(Land Sports Facilities) http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/facilities/facilitieslist/landsports.html
(Aquatics Facilities) http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/facilities/facilitieslist/aquatics.html
Public Markets
There are over 100 public markets in various districts in Hong Kong. You can buy fresh meat, vegetables and daily necessities in the public markets. Some public markets have cooked food markets/centres too.
Locations of public markets: http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/tidy_market/Markets_CFC_list.html
Off Campus Emergency Support
If it is not an urgent case, like loss of properties, students can seek help directly at the nearest police station. Students who encounter emergencies like traffic accidents, robbing or outbreak of fire can call 999 for immediate help. The call will be answered by the Regional Command and Control Centre (999 Reporting Center) of Hong Kong Police Force. The Centre will assign police officers, firefighters or ambulances to provide assistance.
| Emergency Contact (24 hours) | |
|---|---|
| Regional Command and Control Centre | 999 |
Remarks: Emergency contacts in Mainland are categorized into 110 (police), 120 (emergency) and 119 (firefighters) while 999 is the only contact in Hong Kong.
Category
Mobile App
Function
Apple Store
Google Play
Public Information
GovHK Notifications
Provides the latest information and immediate notification messages from the Hong Kong SAR government
My Observatory
Provides the latest weather information including weather forecast and warnings
Map
Google Map
Global electronic map which is similar to the "高德地圖" in the Mainland, provides real time location service, searching of buildings and shops, and route planning, etc.
Transportation
MTR Mobile
Provides information of routes and fees of MTR; estimated time of arrival and journey time
KMB
Provides information of routes and fees of KMB bus; estimated time of arrival and journey time
Citybus & NWFB
Provides information of routes and fees of buses operated by Citybus and NWFB; estimated time of arrival and journey time
Diet
Openrice
eatigo
Similar to the "大眾點評" in the Mainland, provides dining guide in Hong Kong, including restaurant information, dining reviews, ratings and online table booking, etc
Deliveroo
Food delivery service
Foodpanda
Shopping
HKTVMall
Online shops for all kinds of household items, groceries, medicines, electronic products and clothing, etc.
Watsons
PARKnSHOP