BUZZ Roving Reporter Guy Shirra investigates Sai Kung’s preparedness for another super typhoon like Mangkhut.
At the time of writing, Hong Kong is in mid-typhoon season and we should cast our minds back to the destruction caused by the last super typhoon to hit Sai Kung, ST Mangkhut. This Super Typhoon caused widespread damage over much of Hong Kong and prompted a detailed report by the HK Observatory published the following month:
A Wake-up Call from Mangkhut
29 October 2018
Mangkhut, packing extremely high winds and a record-breaking storm surge, hit Hong Kong and caused widespread destruction on 16 September 2018. The scenes of roaring high winds ravaging the city and huge waves smashing the shoreline were unforgettable for many of us. Read on: https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/blog/00000216.htm and https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cwsrc/index_mangkhut.html
Mangkhut and Sai Kung
Mangkhut caused unprecedented damage in Sai Kung harbour
The Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works sustained major damage to its pipes and secondary treatment facilities.
This resulted in untreated sewage leaking into local waters, prompting authorities to close popular beaches like Kiu Tsui, Hap Mun, and Trio.
Widespread damage to electricity grids left thousands of households in remote, rural areas of Sai Kung without power for days.
Popular coastal areas—most notably Sha Ha Beach—were covered in deep debris, ranging from tree trunks and shattered surfboards to parts of wrecked vessels and yacht clubs in Marina Cove and Hebe Haven sustained significant damage.
Many mature and valuable trees were lost, notably in Sai Kung Town and along the promenade:
Extensive clean-up efforts by authorities and environmental groups took several weeks to complete.
Sai Kung Buzz photos of Mangkhut
Tree Protection in this 2026 Typhoon Season
Mainland China has recently experience three highly destructive typhoons (Bavi, Maysak, Noul) causing widespread infrastructure damage, flooding and loss of livelihood and life and a fourth is on the way – Typhoon Dolphin. (See Windy.com)
It would be foolish to think that Hong Kong will not experience another Mangkhut this season and in coming seasons. We had a near miss with the recent Typhoon Noul which nevertheless caused considerable tree damage in Hoi Ha.
At a time when hundreds of mature trees along Hiram’s Highway and through Sai Kung Town are already being felled to make way for a dual carriageway, can Sai Kung afford to sit back and wait for others to be felled by typhoons?
Trees marked for felling in Hiram’s Highway near SK Fire Station:
In some parts, valuable trees are already protected by fixed ropes and anchor points, such as those outside Sai Kung Police Station:
And they are extensively protected in parts of Mainland China:
Sai Kung Buzz warned of these dangers coming our way:
So, can Sai Kung District Council set an example to the rest of the SAR by identifying our most valuable trees and similarly protecting them?
The expense involved in installing anchor points and storing ropes for emergency pre-typhoon installation would surely be cheaper than clearing up and disposing of felled trees post-typhoon and then (eventually) replacing them?
I would suggest that all the remaining trees along Sai Kung Promenade in in Sai Kung Town should be first on the list:
Perhaps Sai Kung Buzz readers would like to email in photographs and locations of other trees which they believe are worthy of such protection? saikungbuzz@gmail.com
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