Highest number of landslides in a decade reported in Hong Kong last year – but don’t blame Typhoon Mangkhut says Geotechnical Engineering Office

Recorded rainfall is deciding factor for landslides, says deputy head of office in charge of upkeep of Hong Kong’s slopes

Urbanisation, slope degradation and extreme weather all led to increased risk as government to use HK$1 billion annually to prevent landslides

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More than 250 landslides were reported in Hong Kong last year, the highest number for a decade. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 9:14pm, 4 Apr 2019Updated: 10:58pm, 4 Apr 2019

More than 250 landslides were reported in Hong Kong last year, the highest number for a decade, the office responsible for the upkeep of slopes in the city has revealed.

Urbanisation, slope degradation and extreme weather had all led to an increased risk, according to Au Yeung Yan-sang, the deputy head of the Geotechnical Engineering Office.

“More buildings are being constructed near slopes, so the risk will increase,” Au Yeung said.

“We have carried out measures to prevent the risk of landslides.”

According to Au Yeung, HK$1 billion would be used each year as part of a government plan to prevent landslides.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office visits a slope at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Clear Water Bay. Photo: Felix Wong

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