Giant hailstones batter Hong Kong

Giant hailstones smashed windows of a Hong Kong shopping centre on Sunday, as torrential rain poured across the city.

As the window panes shattered, water poured into the upscale shopping mall in the Kowloon Tong district.

Shoppers cowered under umbrellas as they waded through the drenched mall.

As the storm approached, authorities issued a black rainstorm warning, which is the highest alert level. This informs the public that heavy rain is likely to bring serious road flooding and traffic congestion, and advises people to stay indoors.

The storm delivered 80mm of rain in a single hour, and as the rain poured, New Zealand performed their traditional haka, after winning the finals of the Rugby Sevens.

8,703 lightning strikes were recorded by the Hong Kong Observatory, more than 3,500 of those within an hour.

More heavy, squally showers are expected in the region over the next few days.