HONG KONG, June 11 (AFP) - Rainstorms pounded Hong Kong on Monday for the seventh day running, forcing schools to close and causing widespread flooding. More than 12 floods were reported across the territory, mostly in northern villages, where two residents had to be rescued and taken to higher ground, the Hong Kong Observatory said.

Two landslips were also reported in the northern areas, it said, adding that 100 millimetres (four inches) of rain had been recorded on Monday. Meanwhile, the education department announced that afternoon classes in all schools were suspended, and the home affairs department opened 24 temporary shelters across the territory for those affected by the storms.

Hong Kong has been hit by rainstorms since June 5 , and the observatory said the rains would continue for at least the next two days. On Sunday, a fireman was almost swept away in Tai Po during an operation to evacuate 10 trapped villagers. On Saturday, a total of 26 people were winched to safety by helicopters and 113 ferried to safey in boats.