Hong Kong authorities issue heat warning as temperatures soar past 37 degrees Celsius

Other areas in the New Territories such as Ta Kwu Ling, Tai Po and Tin Shui Wai also saw the mercury soar beyond 35 degrees at most, while the rest of Hong Kong remained steadily above 30 degrees throughout the day.

“The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection said.

“Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system.”

The centre also called on parents of young children, seniors, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers and those who were overweight to pay extra attention to the risk of heatstroke.

The public was also advised to protect against prolonged sun exposure, as the Ultraviolet Index peaked at 12, or “extreme” just after noon.

Residents could protect themselves by wearing long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes, staying in the shade, and applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, it added.

The Observatory said an anticyclone aloft was bringing hot weather to the city and the heat was expected to persist throughout the weekend as well as into next week, with some occasional showers.

The coming week will be largely sunny and hot, with temperatures ranging from a low of 29 degrees and to a high of 34 degrees.

In June, Hong Kong recorded its hottest summer solstice in more than four decades, with temperatures reaching 34 degrees. Meteorologists had then predicted a hotter-than-normal summer with more heatwaves ahead due to climate change.