The Government today said that while the persistent rainstorm caused flooding and landslides across extensive areas of Hong Kong, relevant departments responded promptly with every effort to minimise the impact of the heavy rain.
Since late last night, the Government’s Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre has been operating continuously, with directorate officers from the departments concerned closely monitoring the situation.
They have been swiftly co-ordinating responses and actions, remaining on high alert and efficiently orchestrating all government departments to take action to minimise the impact of adverse weather on the public.
The Drainage Services Department activated its Emergency Control Centre at 10.35 last night and deployed emergency response teams to proactively inspect flooding-prone locations. It mobilised 180 emergency response teams, involving 620 personnel and powerful pumping robots, and worked closely with other works departments to handle flooding cases and clear drainage channels.
As of 3pm today, 29 flooding cases have been confirmed with 24 of them resolved, including the case at Queen Mary Hospital. The affected roads have mostly resumed normal operation.
The Emergency Control Centre of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) was activated soon after the landslip warning was issued. As of 2.30pm, 15 reports of landslides were received in areas including Sai Kung, Tai Po, Kwai Chung, Lantau, Southern, Mid-levels, Wan Chai, Sha Tin and Peng Chau.
The GEO has arranged inspections of the landslide locations and liaised with relevant departments for emergency slope works.
By 4pm, the Fire Services Department handled 42 reports of people trapped in lifts, 175 reports from automatic fire alarm systems, 36 reports of fallen trees, seven reports of landslides and 69 reports of flooding. Assistance was provided to six people to safe places in two of the flooding incidents.
The Highways Department’s Urban & New Territories Emergency Control Centres were activated after the red rainstorm warning signal was in force last night to co-ordinate road emergencies, including clearing debris at road sections in Southern District, Tai Po and Sai Kung where landslides occurred, so that at least one traffic lane could be reopened as soon as possible.
Urgent slope repair works were also being followed up and roadside gullies were cleared of muddy water and debris, with affected road sections reopened immediately.
The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Coordination Centre continues to operate round the clock and escalated its operational level while the black rainstorm warning signal is in force. The centre expedites assessment of the rainstorm impact on traffic and closely liaises with relevant departments and public transport operators to steer public transport services.
During the black rainstorm warning signal, frontline police officers remained steadfast in assisting people affected by the heavy rain and handled vehicles stranded due to flooding as well as cleared blocked drains in rural areas to ensure smooth traffic flow.
The Home Affairs Department has opened 15 temporary shelters for people in need. Its Emergency Co-ordination Centre has been in operation since the early hours to co-ordinate work and information dissemination in 18 districts in addition to promptly following up on incident reports.
District offices also have initiated response measures and mobilised District Councillors, members of “the three committees” and District Services & Community Care Teams to disseminate weather information to residents in flood-prone areas.
The Housing Department’s Communication Centre was activated to handle emergencies soon after the red rainstorm warning signal was in force. As of 4pm, it received 49 enquiries from residents, which were immediately relayed to relevant teams for follow-up, including a case of temporary power failure in a block of Kwai Shing West Estate, where the power supply has resumed after emergency repairs.
The department’s frontline staff were dedicated to their duties, taking precautionary measures against the heavy rain. The overall operation of housing estate facilities remained unaffected.
