Can Hong Kong prevent flooding during typhoons and superstorms? Government commissions study to help coastal communities
- Development secretary Michael Wong says study is expected to take between 18 months and two years
- Move has been prompted by Typhoon Mangkhut, which caused devastation in low-lying areas
Hong Kong’s development secretary has pledged to find ways to stop coastal communities being flooded, even when superstorms hit the city.
The study, which will be handled by the Civil Engineering and Development Department will look into the impact of extreme weather on low-lying areas in Hong Kong.
“The government will examine different proposals to solve the problem of flooding caused by waves,” he said.
Typhoon Mangkhut, which hit Hong Kong last month, was the most intense storm the city has ever faced. It uprooted thousands of trees, left hundreds of windows smashed all over the city, and caused serious flooding in various low-lying areas.
In the Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung noted that since Heng Fa Chuen, South Horizons and Tseung Kwan O South mainly consist of private residential developments, it could be difficult for the government to take the initiative to reinforce its sea walls.
