Editorial | Excuses will not wash for Hong Kong’s rainstorm reaction

Inclement weather is expected to prevail for some time, but the torrential downpours that washed through the city over the past few days have largely receded. However, officials remain in hot water over their preparedness and emergency response to what was the worst rainstorm to hit Hong Kong in more than a century.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has sought to play down the criticism, and said members of his team had done what was expected and required of them during the crisis. But Lee pledged to undertake a review, which would include how to better alert the public to bad weather and improve the drainage system.

Considering the devastation wrought by the deluge, the authorities have arguably done a good job in putting the city quickly back on track. But the acclaimed smooth return to work and school on Monday sits oddly with the heavy rain and serious flooding experienced in Sai Kung and Sha Tin the same day. Disturbing images of commuters and their vehicles stranded in deep water simply do not square with the official claim that drainage improvement work over the years has reduced the number of flooding black spots from more than 100 to just four.

The Lee administration is fortunate to have a relatively calm environment that is conducive to governance. But it is being put to the test as more crises emerge. The rainstorm has exposed a raft of weaknesses in the city’s infrastructure and government responses. This is especially worrying at a time when global warming makes extreme weather the new normal.

The government said it had tried its best to issue alerts and deal with the aftermath of the rainstorm. But unlike its effective response to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Saola, the outcome this time clearly fell short of expectations. Officials should put themselves in the place of the people and tackle livelihood worries arising from such situations with a greater sense of commitment and urgency. From weather forecasts and alerts to drainage and slope maintenance, and from government crisis management to mobilisation for rescues and clean-ups, a thorough review is needed. Hong Kong must learn its lesson and be better prepared for the next crisis.