The hillside collapsed beneath a detached house on Kam Shue Road in Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung
When the heavy rain hit Hong Kong a few days ago, many landslides were triggered. One of these was just outside No. 8 Kam Shue Road, Clear Water Bay, with an area of 50 metres by 100 metres. One of the detached houses Hill Top Villa was affected. The Buildings Department and the Geotechnical Engineering Office said yesterday (13/9) that they had found that there were some unauthorised structures near the slope in House No. 8D.
The Buildings Department subsequently took enforcement actions in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance. After assessment, the Geotechnical Engineering Office believes that the slope needs urgent repairs. The relevant emergency works were launched today (14/9) and are expected to be completed by the end of this month. After the completion of the project, the Buildings Department will recover the relevant costs of slope maintenance that are their responsibility from the owners concerned.
The scene after the landslide as seen from Clear Water Bay Road Photo: Internet
Unfortunately, the Observatory issued a red rainstorm warning this morning, and workers were unable to start work immediately. They arrived at “Hill Top Villa” to conduct preliminary preparations. Staff from the Geotechnical Engineering Office were also present.
Buildings Department staff also entered the house to investigate and stepped out of the balcony to understand the landslide situation Photo: 翁鈺輝/HK01
The Hong Kong Observatory said at 8:50 am this morning that more than 50 millimetres of rain had been recorded in eastern Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Sha Tin and Tai Po in the past hour or two. Severe thunderstorms are still developing in the waters south of Hong Kong and moving northward. The heavy rain is expected to continue in the next hour or two, and the public should be more vigilant.
The Hong Kong Observatory first issued a “yellow rainstorm” warning signal at 3:55 am today and changed it to a “red rainstorm” warning signal at 5:55 am.
Hong Kong media are reporting that underground parking lots in some areas have been flooded with water above their ankles. However, the Hong Kong stock market will still open as usual and will not be closed unless a black rain warning is issued.
The Observatory issued the first localised heavy rain warning at 9:30 am last Friday (8/9) and Sai Kung District recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain in the hour to 9:50 am.
As of 12:18 pm Friady, the Observatory stated that the rainfall in Sha Tin District was particularly heavy, and heavy rain exceeding 70 millimetres per hour had been recorded or expected, and severe flooding was possible. The area continued to record more than 80 millimetres of rain in the hour to 12:45 pm. The heavy rain caused flash floods around Sai Kung.
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