Cold front set to push down temperature

MembersofthepublicbravethecoldintheTsimShaTsuidistrictofHongKongonJan24,2016.(AFPPHOTO/ISAACLAWRENCE)

(CHINADAILY)HongKongentersachillyweekaheadafterasteepdropintemperatureoverthepasttwentyfourhours.

TheHongKongObservatorypredictsthetemperaturewillcontinuetofallthroughouttheday,headingtowardafrostyFriday.Thetemperaturetomorrowisexpectedtohit9C,withpatchesofrainhereandthere.

AnastycoldfrontsentWednesday’snoontimetemperatureof23Celsiusintoatailspin,plungingbetweenfourandfivedegreesCelsiusoverafourhourperiod.Thecoldweatherwarningwentupat4pmWednesday.Thegovernmenthastilysetup17temporarysheltersforthehomeless..

Theonsetofthesuddencoldsnap,addedmorepressureatpublichospitals,alreadyoverwhelmedandovercapacityowingtothecontinuingfluseason.SecretaryforFoodandHealthKoWing-man,visitedthefullypackedQueenElizabethandPrinceofWalesHospitals,Wednesday.Occupancyatbothhasrisenpast120percent,withotherhospitalemergencywardsalsowellovercapacity.

TheCentreforHealthProtectionremindsthepublictotakeprecautionsagainstthecoldweather.Theelderlyandpeoplesufferingchronicdiseasesareurgedtowearwarmclothesandnottodrinkalcoholbeforegoingout,asalcoholcausestheporestoopen,leadingtohighersusceptibilitytoinfection.

ThelowestMarchtemperatureeverrecordedattheObservatory,wasis4.8Celsius,onMarch1,1986.