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Villagers in Kar Wo Lei  and So Kwun Tan,  Tuen Mun, have accused the government of ignoring them in disaster relief efforts after Typhoon Hagupit hit Hong Kong last week.
The typhoon, which lashed Hong Kong in the late hours of September 23, flooded some coastal villages.
While residents of some other coastal communities were evacuated due to storm surge fears, the Tuen Mun villagers said they had received little help from the government.
Kar Wo Lei villager Wong Tai-sum said the damage caused by the storm had 'never been so serious'.
Villagers said a storm surge hit the two villages near Hong Kong Gold Coast  at midnight, bringing flood waters a metre high into their homes. They said it was difficult to stand during the flood as water swept into the houses. But they claimed that police officers and firemen, who were aware of the situation, provided little help.
A police spokeswoman said in an e-mail reply last night that officers found no immediate danger  and residents chose to stay at the village even though they were advised to take shelter at a  community centre.
Tuen Mun District councillor Li Kwai-fong  said Home Affairs Department officials had shown indifference when they inspected the storm damage.
A government spokesman denied that officials had been indifferent or slow in taking action, saying officials had inspected the villages to evaluate the damage a number of times since September 24.
Mr Wong said the flood caused serious financial losses to about 50 families.  Furniture, home appliances and other property were damaged, and walls soaked with water for hours also needed repairs. He said the typhoon  cost each family HK$20,000 to HK$60,000.
Ms Li said officials had promised only a few thousand dollars in compensation, depending on the number of people  in a family. And it would take a long time for money to reach victims.
The government spokesman said the applications for relief funds were being processed.
Ms Li said the Tuen Mun villagers felt they had received different treatment from other parts of the city also hit by the storm, such as Tai O. She said residents in some areas were evacuated and offered other assistance. 'They [Tuen Mun villagers] are also Hong Kong residents,' she said. 'Why are they treated differently?'



We were ignored in typhoon relief efforts, say Tuen Mun villagers