Hongkongers returned to school and work on Monday, as roads, schools, and MTR stations underwent repairs from damage caused by a recent record-breaking downpour. Among the devastation being assessed was a landslide on the Redhill Peninsula, where a luxury home was evacuated amid speculation it was host to illegal structures.
Heavy rain continued to fall in areas of the city, with images shared on social media showing flooded roads in Kwun Tong.
Speaking at a cross-departmental press conference on Sunday, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan said the city would mostly resume normal operations as authorities carry out repairs: “For the most part, [residents] should have no problems going back to school or work.”
Recovery efforts were currently underway following a record-breaking rainstorm that brought flash floods and landslides to the city on Thursday night and Friday. The storm prompted authorities to issue the Black rainstorm warning – the highest rainstorm alert – for a record-breaking 16 hours.
Authorities said 158.1 millimetres of rainfall was recorded by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) in the hour after the warning was raised, a record high.
The HKO on Monday morning reported heavy rainfall in Sai Kung measuring more than 100 millimetres in an hour. Tseung Kwan O and Kwun Tong also saw several reports of flooding that triggered road closures including on main thoroughfares such as Kwun Tong Road and Tseung Kwan O Road.
As of 1pm on Monday, the landslip warning, which was issued last Thursday, remained in force. The HKO advised people to stay away from steep slopes or retaining walls, and advised drivers to stay away from hilly areas or on roads with landslip warning signs. A thunderstorm warning, which was issued on Monday morning, was also in effect.
10 schools closed
Chan added that authorities would keep an eye on road and market conditions, and the Transport Department would activate its Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre to monitor traffic and public transport services.
Chan’s remarks came as the Education Bureau announced temporary closures of 10 campuses because classrooms had been damaged by the rainstorm, adding that affected students would have to switch to online classes. Acting Secretary for Education Jeff Sze said 117 schools had reported damage in total.
Across the city, public transportation had largely resumed by Saturday with most buses and trains back in service after being impacted by the Black rainstorm warning. However, one exit at the Wong Tai Sin MTR station, which was heavily flooded over the weekend, remained closed on Monday morning.
The MTR Corporation asked commuters to head to the Lok Fu or Diamond Hill stations instead. Local media reported that MTR staff had put up notices reminding passengers that gates and facilities including lifts and escalators were damaged, and that parts of the station were still leaking.
Resident-led contingencies
Responding to a reporter’s questions about the evacuation arrangements at Shek O, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said authorities had mobilised “care teams” to transport daily necessities and communications equipment to Shek O residents.
Technicians were also sent to reconnect internet and phone services that were damaged by the rainstorm.
Shek O Road, the only road in and out of Shek O and Big Wave Bay, was partially reopened on Saturday evening, after two landslides caused by record rain cut access to the two coastal villages.
About 200 residents were evacuated by Fire Services Department boat to North Point and Causeway Bay before the road was reopened, with contingency measures being conducted by residents themselves, as locals expressed frustration over a lack of messaging from officials.
Tang told reporters: “I understand that the communication between our government officials, the village representatives and the residents was good. For those who needed to be evacuated, they were all being arranged.”
Illegal structures
The city’s development minister also said on Sunday that a luxury property in Tai Tam, which was among three homes at Redhill Peninsula that were damaged by a landslide, was thought to be equipped with illegal structures that violated lease terms.
“As to whether there are unauthorised building structures or unlawful occupation of government land, our initial evidence shows that there is indeed some breach of the leases and also unlawful occupation,” said Bernadette Linn.
“But our primary focus at the present moment is to stabilise the slope to ensure public safety. And once that is done, we will proceed with the necessary enforcement against the relevant breaches,” she said.
Chief Secretary Chan added that authorities would strictly enforce the law, as illegal structures could affect public safety.
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