Another man died and a second was injured in mishaps over two consecutive days last week at Lower Shing Mun Reservoir in Tsuen Wan.

The drought-hit reservoir, which has dried into a picturesque expanse of cracked mud, has become a hotspot for hikers eager to snap selfies.

Some were seen sneaking into the area and posing for pictures even after authorities sealed off the area and banned people from entering following the recent mishaps.

Hong Kong recorded eight hiking deaths in the first three months of the year, compared with two over the same period last year, according to the Fire Services Department.

The department carried out 212 operations to rescue trapped hikers from January to March, fewer than the 318 over the same period last year. Of those rescued, 100 were injured, down from 193 last year.

Veteran mountaineer Chung, the first Hongkonger to summit Mount Everest, said many people had been heading to nature trails to fight the Covid-19 pandemic blues without sufficiently heeding the risks.

He said hiking in Hong Kong was generally, but only if trekkers chose trails suitable for their level of fitness and had the proper equipment.

“Many flock to hotspots for selfies after being attracted by photographs on social media or in news reports, but they overlook their physical fitness [level] and are poorly equipped. Some even bring kids along,” he said.

“The recent accidents in Lower Shing Mun Reservoir were unnecessary and could have been avoided. The reservoir is not a place for climbing.”

The reservoir has dried up to such an extent that its water level at the start of the month is only 2.23 per cent of its storage capacity, according to the Water Supplies Department.

Experts said recent dry and sunny weather was partly to blame. Pictures of the cracked mud landscape have been featured in the media and flooded social media since early last month.

Large numbers of hikers have been heading to the area recently, climbing down to the reservoir bed to take photos. A rope has even been left for hikers to scramble 30 metres down the steep cliffside.

“Having a rope there does not mean it is safe to use,” Chung said. “It might not be knotted. It could be weathered from exposure. Small stones could also fall off the cliffside easily as so many people have been trampling there.”

He advised hikers to adequately prepare before setting out and to understand the challenges awaiting them along the hilly hiking trails they chose.

In the two accidents at Lower Shing Mun Reservoir, a 54-year-old man fell 30 metres and died last Saturday, and the next day, a 71-year-old man was injured when he fell more than 10 metres while taking a short cut at the same spot.

Since the accidents, police and staff of the Water Supplies Department have used barriers and nets to fence off mountain roads and short cuts leading to the reservoir.

They warned that those who entered the reservoir could be found in violation of the Waterworks Ordinance or Waterworks Regulations, risking a fine of up to HK$5,000 (US$637) and two years’ jail.

Police officers patrolling the area have been giving verbal warnings to hikers, as well as issuing penalties to vehicles parked illegally on nearby roads.

With more Hong Kong residents heading outdoors during the pandemic, the number of mountain rescue incidents has increased, rising from 602 in 2020 to 951 last year.

The number of hiking deaths increased from 11 in 2020 to 14 last year, while the number of injuries almost doubled from 323 to 608 across the same period.