There was unanimous backing for a plea to speed up drainage improvement works in the northwestern part of the New Territories.
Sponsoring a motion urging action on flooding in rural areas, Dr Tang Siu-tong of the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance said the Government should provide adequate resources and manpower.
He called for the stepping up of maintenance and clearance of watercourses and other drainage systems at flooding blackspots before the rainy season.
'The Government should liaise closely with the Shenzhen authorities and notify Hong Kong of the timing of the flood discharges as early as possible, enabling rural residents to make adequate preparation,' Dr Tang said.
Lau Wong-fat of the Heung Yee Kuk said: 'It has become a common phenomenon to see flooding not only in rural areas but also in busy urban areas. Hong Kong's drainage facilities lag behind its social development.' The Acting Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Patrick Lau Lai-chiu, said: 'It has always been a common goal of the Government and the legislature to resolve the flooding problem in the northwestern part of the New Territories.' He said some drainage work was delayed by land resumption difficulties, adding that it might take three years to resume the land for the start of Phase Three of the Shenzhen River drainage improvement.
He said the Shenzhen authorities had agreed to try to inform the Hong Kong Government two hours before reservoir floodgates were opened.
