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SCMP

As Super Typhoon Ragasa moves away from the city, we take a look at SCMP’s coverage of some of the worst storms the city has experienced. Click here to read more.
Typhoon causes collapse in new housing estate
By Staff Reporter
This article was first published on August 17, 1971
The most powerful typhoon to strike for three years swirled through Hong Kong this morning, plunging Kowloon into blackness for more than two hours, causing houses to collapse and threatening extensive flooding in low-lying areas today.
Two flats on the 19th floor, Block 1, of Kwai Hing low-cost housing estate, New Territories, collapsed shortly after midnight injuring two people.

Shortly after 1.30am this morning, two more flats on the first floor of the same block collapsed. It was not immediately known if casualties resulted from the second collapse.
Residents of the whole block have been evacuated.
Kwai Hing is one of the newest low-cost estates, having been completed only last year.
As far as was known at the time of going to press, 86 people were hurt in Typhoon Rose. They included two in the Kwai Hing flat collapse, five in the Sam Ka Tsuen housing collapse and a policeman who lost a finger as the door in his barrack room on Cheung Chau slammed on his hand.
Several fires broke out, and telephone and electric services were disrupted as Typhoon Rose, with winds over 100 knots, closed in on the Colony late last night.
An explosion occurred at the China Light and Power Co substation at Kwun Tong shortly before 9.30pm cutting off electricity to most of Kowloon peninsula until midnight, and trapping people in lifts.
A spokesman for China Light said this was the first time there had been a complete blackout.
The substation was partially destroyed by the fire.
Engineers of China Light are standing to make an inspection of the plant as soon as the heat has died down.
The spokesman said that power supply would most certainly be curtailed for some time.

Over 100 people were given shelter at Kwun Tong welfare centre after their wooden huts in Sam Ka Tsuen collapsed shortly before 10pm.
Seven ships ran aground and a number of ships were involved in a series of chain collisions. More ships also broke their moorings and three were early this morning reported to be drifting.
At 10.50pm the highest signal, No 10, went up for the first time since Typhoon Shirley roared through Hong Kong in August 1968.
Winds continued to increase until about 1am today when the northern edge of the eye reached, just south of Lantau.
Maximum gusts of 103 knots were recorded at Cheung Chau before 11pm.
A 12-year-old boy was found drowned near the beach at Gin Drinker’s Bay, Tsuen Wan, at 2pm yesterday. No foul play was suspected.

Up to midnight, the fire services had answered 55 fire and other special service alarms and 198 ambulance service calls.
There were 58 calls for people trapped in lifts.
Ferry disaster: no hope for missing crew
By T.S. Koo
This article was first published on August 18, 1971
A large but undetermined number of the crew of the Hong Kong-Macau ferry Fatshan, including her master and senior British officers, were feared drowned when she capsized off Lantau during the typhoon early yesterday.
So far four survivors have been picked up, and four bodies found.

It is believed there were 70 to 80 people on board, but the ferry company was unable to give the exact number.
An intensive search was mounted, but hope of finding more survivors faded last night.
One of the survivors, Tam Yau-sing, 41, reported that the Fatshan, while dragging her anchor, was involved in two collisions with other ships in the vicinity.
The impact of the collisions, first at the stern, and the second at the bow, “knocked” the ferry over, according to Mr Tam.
The ferry took shelter at Ma Wan, and ended up at Yam O, northeastern tip of Lantau Island where it capsized not far from the shoreline.
Death, injury toll mounts steadily
Typhoon Rose’s tragic toll of deaths and injuries mounted steadily yesterday.

Breakdown of losses or damage caused, according to official figures:
Casualties: dead 25; missing 85 to 95; injured 313, including 40 admitted to hospital.
Houses: destroyed six; damaged 18.
Huts: destroyed 327; damaged 2,670.
Homeless 1,483, evacuated from their homes 2,418.
Boats: sunk 52, damaged nine.
Ships: aground 37; adrift three.
Fire alarms: 43.
Roads: blocked 30; partially blocked 79.
Flooding: 35 places.
Landslides: 10.
Two girls were killed in a village hut collapse at Sha Tin and five people died when a boat capsised off Kwai Chung.


Hong Kong registers a low of 13.2 degrees Celsius, coldest so far this autumn

Hong Kong registers low of 13.2 degrees Celsius, coldest so far this autumn

Weather in Hong Kong will feel colder than 14 degrees Celsius due to wind chill

Hong Kong asked to layer up as temperature set to dip to 14 degrees by Wednesday

Hong Kong weather

When Typhoon Rose caused Hong Kong housing estate to collapse in 1971 – SCMP archive

Typhoon Rose plunged Kowloon into blackness for more than two hours, on August 16, 1971 causing houses to collapse and threatening extensive flooding in low-lying areas. Eighty-six people were hurt in the typhoon. Photo: Chan Kiu

A clipping from SCMP’s August 17, 1971 front cover. Photo: SCMP

The severe damage caused by Typhoon Rose to Sam Ka Tsuen near Kwun Tong. Photo: Chu Ming-hoi

Serious flooding in a low-lying area caused by Typhoon Rose. Photo: Chan Kiu

The Fatshan ferry sunk when Typhoon Rose struck Hong Kong on August 16, 1971, causing 88 people to drown. Photo: Hong Kong Information Services Department

A clipping from SCMP’s August 18, 1971 front page. Photo: SCMP  

As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, here are the biggest storms in Hong Kong’s history

Hong Kong has faced several super typhoons over the decades. Photo: Chu Ming-hoi

Cars are submerged as Typhoon Hato hit the city in 2017. Photo: David Wong

A young survivor seeks solace in a rescuer’s arms during Typhoon Hope in 1979. Photo: SCMP

Typhoon Rose causes severe damage as it hits Hong Kong in 1971. Photo: SCMP

Hong Kong ships lie wrecked in the aftermath of Typhoon Wanda in 1962. Photo: SCMP

Passengers rush to rearrange flights at Hong Kong airport as Ragasa approaches

Passengers queue at airline counters at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Dickson Lee

At least 700 flights are set to be cancelled, causing major disruptions for passengers. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong shopkeepers prepare for Ragasa; 100 households evacuated from Tai O

Residents in Tai O move their furniture and appliances to safety as Ragasa approaches the city. Photo: Eugene Lee

The government has moved a robotic “water-pumping dragon” to Lei Yue Mun, in preparation for Super Typhoon Ragasa. Photo: Sam Tsang

Volunteers help residents in Tai O lift furniture and appliances off the ground. Photo: Eugene Lee

Elderly residents in Tai O prepare to move out temporarily as Ragasa approaches Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee

A restaurant is closed in Lei Yue Mun, with the owner lining the entrance with sandbags to mitigate the damage of anticipated floods from Super Typhoon Ragasa. Photo: Sam Tsang

Super Typhoon Ragasa: in China, Shenzhen to evacuate 400,000; Guangdong suspends trains

A cloud map from the Fengyun-4 satellite shows Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is expected to make landfall in China on Wednesday. Photo: handout

News

Hong Kong

Society

Super Typhoon Rose hit Hong Kong in August 1971, killing 110 people and causing the collapse of a housing estate


Super Typhoon Rose hit Hong Kong in August 1971, killing 110 people and causing the collapse of a housing estate.


On This Day | When Typhoon Rose caused Hong Kong housing estate to collapse in 1971 – SCMP archive

Super Typhoon Rose hit Hong Kong in August 1971, killing 110 people and causing the collapse of a housing estate

Typhoon causes collapse in new housing estate