On this day, 119 years ago, on September 18, 1906 (August 1, 1906 in the lunar calendar), a typhoon occurred in Hong Kong. Typhoon Bingwu occurred on September 18, 1906. A strong typhoon hit Hong Kong that day, killing about 15,000 people, missing 1,349 people, and injuring 220 people. It became the most serious natural disaster in Hong Kong's history and the largest number of deaths recorded in Hong Kong to date. According to the investigation report, the typhoon is estimated to have formed rapidly near Hong Kong waters and has a small diameter. However, it is fierce and moves quickly. Meteorological stations near Hong Kong have not been able to detect abnormal conditions in time. In an era where advanced weather forecasting equipment and technology were lacking, the Hong Kong Observatory did not make accurate forecasts beforehand. According to the 1906 Annual Report of the Director of the Observatory, the Observatory hoisted a black drum at 7:37 a.m. that day, indicating that there would be strong winds within 300 miles. The cannon was then released at 8:17 to forecast that strong winds would blow in the harbour. However, the wind in the port reached storm level six minutes later, and the peak wind speed reached 77 knots per hour after an hour and a half. The typhoon caused a huge storm surge and caused significant damage to coastal areas. According to informal statistics, although the typhoon only lasted for a few hours, the authorities did not have enough time to make wind prevention measures and evacuate people.(Especially a large number of sea residents), resulting in about 15,000 deaths (accounting for about 5% of Hong Kong's population of about 320,000 at that time). Nearly 3,000 fishing boats and 670 ocean-going ships sank, making it the largest number of deaths in Hong Kong's history. This typhoon also hit the Pearl River Estuary area in Guangdong, China, causing serious human lives and economic losses, so it was also called the "1906 Pearl River Estuary Typhoon." According to the records of the Hong Kong Observatory, in fact, in the two and 10 days after the typhoon, that is, on September 20 and September 28, strong typhoons also hit one after another. The average wind speed recorded on September 20 was 49 knots per hour (45 knots per hour on September 18) and the highest wind speed recorded on September 28 was 78 knots per hour (77 knots per hour on September 18). However, due to the timely and effective forecast of the Hong Kong Observatory, the number of casualties was not as serious as on September 18. The situation when the hurricane hit Victoria Port, huge waves hit the shore. The picture shows the British gunboat HMS Phoenix missing and stranded on Connaught Road. Comments: Natural disaster is irresistible.