The Security Bureau held an interdepartmental pre-typhoon tabletop exercise today at the Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre (EMSC) in the Central Government Offices.
The exercise aimed to enhance the emergency response and collaboration of bureaus, departments and other parties concerned in handling possible emergency situations if Hong Kong is struck by a super typhoon.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory’s forecast, five to eight tropical cyclones are expected to hit the city this year. The tropical cyclone season will begin in June or earlier, and end in October or later.
To ensure comprehensive preparedness, representatives from around 40 bureaus, departments and other parties participated in this year’s exercise.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which a super typhoon and heavy rainstorm battered Hong Kong, causing widespread destruction, property damage and serious blockage of main thoroughfares.
Participants were required to outline their response measures under different scenarios.
The exercise served as an interdisciplinary platform for the participants to share their experience and expertise, and enabled the participating parties to gain a deeper understanding of the operation of the EMSC as well as their respective roles and responsibilities, with a view to enhancing the preparedness and interdepartmental collaboration in responding to threats posed by super typhoons.
