Villagers plucked to safety as floods cause chaos across NT

Villagers had to be rescued by helicopter from their rooftops yesterday as torrential rain caused widespread chaos and left large parts of the New Territories submerged.

Weather watchers say the worst may be yet to come, with storms forecast for the next three days.

Water up to two metres deep caused 60 floods across Hong Kong, cutting off the Man Kam To border crossing, leaving householders stranded and causing landslides, car accidents and long traffic jams. A total of 113 people had to be ferried to safety in boats and 13 people needed hospital treatment.

Several young children were among 26 people winched to safety by three Government Flying Service helicopters, which plucked them from Tin Ping Shan and Shek Wu San Tsuen, Sheung Shui, and took them to the nearby police training unit. They then were transferred by ambulance to hospital, some with minor injuries.

Firemen used a hovercraft and Civil Aid Service dinghies to rescue other villagers from chest-deep water in other parts of Sheung Shui.

Flooding meant all mainland-bound traffic heading for the Man Kam To checkpoint had to be diverted to Lok Ma Chau. Several motorists whose cars broke down called police for help, and five landslides caused traffic jams elsewhere in the New Territories.

'We're in big trouble tonight. We don't even know where to stay,' said one man who had to abandon his Sheung Shui home.