Hong Kong authorities have unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered flood forecasting and alert system designed to enhance the city’s preparedness and response to flooding events. The system employs three-dimensional simulations to provide real-time flood projections, supporting more effective pre-emptive measures and emergency management.

Developed through a collaboration between the Drainage Services Department and the South China University of Technology, the new model integrates big data analysis with AI technologies to simulate how floodwaters may evolve dynamically across different urban environments. It leverages meteorological data, including rainfall and tidal information, to generate real-time flood nowcasts that offer a more detailed and timely picture than existing tools.

“This initiative aims to position Hong Kong as a climate-resilient and future-ready city,” said Ringo Mok Wing-cheong, director of the Drainage Services Department. The system builds upon the territory-wide flood risk visualisation platform established after the impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa last year.

Unlike previous hydraulic models that produced static flood risk maps, the AI-driven approach provides dynamic, three-dimensional flood simulations. Esther Yuen Ka-wai, chief engineer of the department’s land drainage division, noted that the model will initially be applied to three key catchment areas: the Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po, Wan Chai, and the Tsui Ping River in Kwun Tong. This targeted deployment is intended to assist officials in forecasting potential flood scenarios and devising appropriate prevention and response strategies.

In addition to the AI system, authorities are launching a smart drainage map that consolidates data from multiple government agencies, including the Hong Kong Observatory, Lands Department, and Transport Department. The map will provide policymakers with instant access to information on flooding incidents and the coordination of emergency response teams. However, the platform will not be made publicly accessible.

The move follows a challenging 2025, during which Hong Kong recorded 114 flooding incidents. Authorities attribute approximately half of these to blocked road drains, prompting joint efforts with the Highways Department to enhance inspection routines, clearances, and the installation of additional catchpits. After severe flooding last August at King Yin Lane in Tseung Kwan O, upgrades were made to intake structures to prevent water ingress into roadside car parks, coupled with the installation of CCTV cameras to improve monitoring capabilities.

A publicly accessible list of flood-prone locations is also being prepared and will be made available on the government’s website to inform residents about vulnerable areas.

The city experienced a notably active weather season in 2025, issuing five black rainstorm signals—the highest annual total since the warning system’s inception in 1992—including two No. 10 signals, one of which coincided with Super Typhoon Ragasa. Mok projected that between four and seven tropical cyclones might approach Hong Kong in the coming year, posing risks of heavy rain and localized downpours.

To support ongoing maintenance, the Drainage Services Department has introduced three battery-powered robotic devices to clear silt and manage odor in drainage networks. These include two hydraulic robots equipped with a high-pressure water jet and a mechanical grabber, respectively, designed to operate quietly in narrow urban and rural settings. A third machine, named “AirePhant,” uses a suction hose to neutralize unpleasant odors underground.

Collectively, these technological advancements represent a comprehensive effort to mitigate flood risks and enhance the resilience of Hong Kong’s drainage and emergency response infrastructure in the face of increasing climate challenges.