https://www.scmp.com/rss/521978/feed The latest news and top stories on the Drainage Services Department. A prominent Hong Kong-based governmental body, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) is dedicated to providing world-class wastewater and stormwater drainage services, preventing flooding and ensuring public safety. Its main areas of focus include sewage collection, treatment and flood prevention through major infrastructure projects like drainage tunnels and smart drainage systems. Established in 1989, DSD is recognised for... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Thousands of households in Hong Kong had their Lunar New Year celebrations interrupted when their estates were hit by water disruptions, with further repair work in Sau Mau Ping set for Wednesday evening. A freshwater pipe serving the lower levels of Hei Wah House at Lok Wah South Estate in Sau Mau Ping burst at 8pm on Tuesday, disrupting the water supply for 216 households, according to the Housing Authority. The affected homes were on the second to seventh floors of the building. A clip... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343903/thousands-hong-kong-households-hit-water-disruption-during-lunar-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343903/thousands-hong-kong-households-hit-water-disruption-during-lunar-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:43:56 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words From Southeast Asia, the US military operation in Venezuela may appear geographically remote, yet politically and historically it feels strikingly familiar. Many in this region have a long memory of external interventions justified in the language of democracy, security or... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3339022/what-us-military-action-venezuela-looks-southeast-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3339022/what-us-military-action-venezuela-looks-southeast-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:30:10 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Thousands of homes and 34 shopping centre tenants in a northern Hong Kong district were left without fresh water on Sunday during one of the most important family-gathering festivals, as authorities apologised and rushed to restore the supply. The Water Supplies Department said in the early afternoon that the supply to the single-block On Shing Court, Tin Ping Shopping Centre and three residential towers of Tin Ping Estate in Sheung Shui had been suspended because of a leak in a 400mm-diameter... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337234/hong-kong-water-pipe-leak-leaves-3000-households-dry-during-winter-solstice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337234/hong-kong-water-pipe-leak-leaves-3000-households-dry-during-winter-solstice?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 09:32:55 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong authorities have closed hiking trails on Tsing Yi for large-scale mosquito control after five local cases of chikungunya fever were detected among recent visitors. The Centre for Health Protection said on Tuesday that the fact members of the public continued to be infected after visiting the Tsing Yi Nature Trails – despite a series of mosquito prevention and control operations over recent weeks – reflected that the risk of infection in the area remained. “Compared with urban settings,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335795/hong-kong-shuts-tsing-yi-hiking-trails-amid-links-5-local-chikungunya-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335795/hong-kong-shuts-tsing-yi-hiking-trails-amid-links-5-local-chikungunya-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:55:00 +0000 Jiang Chuqin Jiang Chuqin A Hong Kong village has been without water for more than 10 days, with the Water Supplies Department pledging to resolve the disruption by the end of the week. Eight village houses and some temporary structures in Kai Hang Tun village in Sai Kung lost stable water supply on November 14, and the problem remained unresolved as of Wednesday, the Post learned. The department attributed the shortage to weakened water pressure caused by a leak. It said it had already replaced 60 per cent of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3334271/village-hong-kongs-sai-kung-struggles-without-water-more-10-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3334271/village-hong-kongs-sai-kung-struggles-without-water-more-10-days?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:39:53 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong labour authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a 49-year-old worker who was strangled by his clothing when it became caught in a machine. The Labour Department announced the inquiry on Sunday following the man’s death at Tseung Kwan O Hospital the night before, 10 hours after he collapsed in the basement of a sewage treatment plant in Wo Mei, Sai Kung. According to the department, the worker’s clothes became caught in a concrete core drilling machine he was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3333829/hong-kong-authorities-launch-probe-fatal-industrial-accident-sewage-plant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3333829/hong-kong-authorities-launch-probe-fatal-industrial-accident-sewage-plant?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Nov 2025 04:18:54 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen A contract worker died in hospital hours after collapsing in the basement of a sewage treatment plant on Saturday, with Hong Kong’s Drainage Services Department ordering his employer to investigate. Department director Ringo Mok Wing-cheong expressed sorrow over the death of the worker and urged the contractor to provide appropriate help to the man’s family, halt the project and investigate the case. The victim, a 49-year-old man surnamed Tam, was installing electric equipment in the basement of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3333816/worker-49-dies-hours-after-collapsing-hong-kong-sewage-treatment-plant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3333816/worker-49-dies-hours-after-collapsing-hong-kong-sewage-treatment-plant?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Nov 2025 16:14:16 +0000 Jiang Chuqin Jiang Chuqin Worried residents at a major private housing estate in Hong Kong lined up to have their water meters cleaned on Monday after bitumen particles were found in their drinking supply, with many also complaining that their hot taps had run dry. People queued at a service counter set up by the Water Supplies Department at Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay in the afternoon after laboratory tests confirmed that the black particles found in the drinking water of 14 blocks the night before were bitumen. Bitumen,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3333135/hot-water-runs-out-hong-kong-estate-amid-bitumen-clean-safety-fears-grow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3333135/hot-water-runs-out-hong-kong-estate-amid-bitumen-clean-safety-fears-grow?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 13:41:42 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok A man has collapsed and died while clearing a drainage channel in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok district. The 68-year-old man, who ran a drainage firm, was found unconscious on Tuesday afternoon by his sister in a back alley off Portland Street near Changsha Street. He was found lying next to a one-metre-deep (3.2 feet) opening behind Cheung Hing Mansion, a residential block, with his head partially in it. The man had been cleaning the drain at around 2pm, a task assigned by his sister, who was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3331494/man-collapses-and-dies-while-clearing-drainage-channel-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3331494/man-collapses-and-dies-while-clearing-drainage-channel-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:02:23 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong police will expand their surveillance camera coverage to public housing estates, cross-harbour tunnels and venues hosting the National Games including Kai Tak Sports Park by the end of the year after footage helped officers arrest more than 840 suspects. The police force said on Sunday that it was exploring a wider range of installation platforms and continuing to gradually integrate closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera feeds from other government departments and public... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3329562/hong-kong-police-expand-cctv-coverage-and-link-more-departments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3329562/hong-kong-police-expand-cctv-coverage-and-link-more-departments?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2025 07:59:58 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong’s government spent more than HK$5 billion (US$642.3 million) using the city’s currency on services or purchases related to mainland China in the last financial year, according to officials. In comparison, the government only used 240 million yuan (US$33.7 million) annually to settle expenditures, in addition to payments related to its renminbi-denominated bonds. Authorities are now exploring ways to increase payments in renminbi and expand its use. “Since the amount of renminbi bonds... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328712/yuan-boost-eyed-hong-kongs-mainland-china-spending-hits-hk5-billion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328712/yuan-boost-eyed-hong-kongs-mainland-china-spending-hits-hk5-billion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 01:07:46 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have called on residents not to swim at Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay beaches after a sewage pipe split in two during Super Typhoon Ragasa. The Drainage Services Department said on Thursday that it had immediately stopped using the 450mm-diameter sewage main at the Mills and Chung Path near Deep Water Bay after a routine inspection found “severe damage” to the pipe. The department said on Friday night emergency repairs were under way and anticipated the work to be... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326933/hongkongers-urged-avoid-deep-water-bay-and-repulse-bay-beaches-after-sewage-pipe-splits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326933/hongkongers-urged-avoid-deep-water-bay-and-repulse-bay-beaches-after-sewage-pipe-splits?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:24:51 +0000 Edith Lin,Vivian Au Edith Lin,Vivian Au A flooded hotel lobby and promenades engulfed by seas whipped up as Super Typhoon Ragasa bore down on Hong Kong provide timely lessons for urban planning in coastal and other low-lying areas, experts have said. They called for flood-resilient features and higher breakwaters on Wednesday after a storm surge and downpours associated with Ragasa battered the city’s coastline, inundating streets and promenades. Storm surges flooded restaurants, parks and even the lobby of the 425-room Fullerton... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326742/lessons-ragasa-lashing-hong-kong-coastal-areas-must-be-learned-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326742/lessons-ragasa-lashing-hong-kong-coastal-areas-must-be-learned-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:30:08 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Coastal and low-lying areas across Hong Kong have been hit hard by Super Typhoon Ragasa, as it brought a significant storm surge and rainstorms to the city, inundating streets and promenades. Widespread flooding could be seen across the city on Wednesday morning, with the Hong Kong Observatory reporting that water levels in some areas had reached up to 3.8 metres (12.5 feet) or more above chart datum, a reference level for measuring tide heights. Authorities said that as of late afternoon they... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326666/severe-typhoon-ragasa-hong-kongs-coastal-low-lying-areas-hit-floodwaters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326666/severe-typhoon-ragasa-hong-kongs-coastal-low-lying-areas-hit-floodwaters?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:50:37 +0000 Harvey Kong,Wynna Wong Harvey Kong,Wynna Wong Hongkongers were rushing to park their cars on higher ground and in covered spaces on Tuesday as flooding from Super Typhoon Ragasa was expected to inundate low-lying and coastal areas. Several major indoor car parks had long queues stretching out of their entrances in the morning, including the Tai Po Mega Mall car park, which accommodates more than 1,000 vehicles. Meanwhile, some underground and open-air car parks were closed or evacuated as a precautionary measure. A storm surge of about two... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326527/hong-kong-car-owners-race-higher-ground-escape-ragasas-feared-storm-surge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326527/hong-kong-car-owners-race-higher-ground-escape-ragasas-feared-storm-surge?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:09:36 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Authorities have found bitumen in the freshwater supply of a Hong Kong subsidised housing estate, tracing the source of the sediment to a public pipe that was inspected last week. The Water Supplies Department said on Thursday that it was alerted to the issue by the property management office of Kam Chun Court in Ma On Shan, involving blocks C, D and E. Officers were deployed to collect and test water samples at the relevant flats and freshwater tanks in the buildings. “The results show that all... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326040/bitumen-found-water-supply-subsidised-estate-hong-kongs-ma-shan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326040/bitumen-found-water-supply-subsidised-estate-hong-kongs-ma-shan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:00:50 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong authorities have invested HK$30 million (US$3.8 million) in developing water pipe robots, modelled after endoscopes, to navigate the city’s complex urban infrastructure and detect leaks, addressing risks posed by an ageing network. The Water Supplies Department announced on Monday the opening of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory, a collaboration with Polytechnic University and mainland Chinese robotics company Shenzhen Bwell Technology. Under the two-year collaboration, researchers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3323942/hong-kong-invests-hk30-million-water-pipe-robots-detect-leakages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3323942/hong-kong-invests-hk30-million-water-pipe-robots-detect-leakages?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:35:01 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu It is quite unimaginable that Hong Kong continues to struggle with basic necessities such as water. However, that is the case, at least when it comes to the government. Ten years ago, opposition lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan found excessive levels of lead in drinking water that was later discovered to have affected 11 public housing estates, involving 29,000 households. That led to an independent, judge-led inquiry in 2016. The investigation yielded 17 recommendations, including for the water... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3322960/water-scandal-another-blow-public-trust-hong-kong-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3322960/water-scandal-another-blow-public-trust-hong-kong-government?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Oscar Liu,Emily Hung Oscar Liu,Emily Hung Hong Kong authorities have ordered an investigation and set up a task force to review official procurement processes after a company supplied bottled water that listed a mainland Chinese brand as a manufacturer without its permission. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau outlined its plan on Sunday, a day after the Government Logistics Department partially terminated a HK$52.9 million deal with bottled water supplier Xin Ding Xin Trade because it doubted whether the company was capable... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3322137/hong-kong-government-faces-scrutiny-over-bottled-water-procurement-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3322137/hong-kong-government-faces-scrutiny-over-bottled-water-procurement-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:11:15 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong authorities have acquired three more robotic “water-pumping dragon” machines, at a cost of HK$1 million (US$127,390) each, with the devices to be ready for use later this week to help emergency services battle potential flooding. The Drainage Services Department said on Tuesday that its machines had been deployed for 500 hours since the start of this year’s rainy season. The new devices will add to the department’s four bought since April and another two acquired earlier. “The machines... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3321614/hong-kong-buys-3-more-hk1-million-water-pumping-dragon-machines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3321614/hong-kong-buys-3-more-hk1-million-water-pumping-dragon-machines?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:02:27 +0000 Kitty Tam Kitty Tam Just weeks ago, Hongkongers were worrying about unusually dry weather. April, May and June this year were relatively dry – flowers wilted early, reservoirs dipped, and farmers across the New Territories and Lantau feared crop losses. Then came July and these early days of August: torrential downpours, landslides, flash floods and back-to-back black rainstorm warnings that brought the city to a standstill. What we are witnessing isn’t just erratic weather. It’s climate whiplash – and it’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3321191/dry-june-wet-july-climate-whiplash-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3321191/dry-june-wet-july-climate-whiplash-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Aug 2025 22:30:07 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong The Hong Kong Observatory has pledged to further develop its artificial intelligence forecasting tools to better predict typhoons and rainstorms after the models produced useful information before the record-breaking downpours earlier this week. He Yuheng, acting senior scientific officer at the Hong Kong Observatory, said on Friday that the models successfully predicted the development of a rainband that brought heavy rain to parts of the Guangdong coast, a week before Tuesday’s torrential... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3321182/hong-kong-observatory-enhance-ai-models-after-record-breaking-downpours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3321182/hong-kong-observatory-enhance-ai-models-after-record-breaking-downpours?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Aug 2025 05:07:21 +0000 Mark Hinnells Mark Hinnells The past week has seen four incidences of black rain. On Tuesday, two separate warnings were issued before 9am, so parents were all working from home as kindergarten and holiday activities were cancelled, leaving the city much quieter than usual. This quiet prompted me to ask three questions. Is this the usual bad weather or driven by climate change? If it is long-term change, what are the impacts and costs? And what are we doing about it? According to the Hong Kong Observatory, annual rainfall... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3320912/4-black-rain-days-week-show-hong-kongs-climate-fight-urgency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3320912/4-black-rain-days-week-show-hong-kongs-climate-fight-urgency?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Record-breaking torrential downpours hit Hong Kong on Tuesday and brought the city to a standstill with its second-longest black rainstorm warning, in effect for more than 11 hours, as authorities grappled with floods, many businesses had to close, and classes were suspended. The Hong Kong Observatory said it had measured 358.8mm (14.1 inches) of rainfall at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui as of 5pm, the highest daily rainfall in August since records began in 1884. Residents have had little... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3320868/record-breaking-deluge-hong-kong-wreaks-havoc-11-hour-black-rainstorm-signal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3320868/record-breaking-deluge-hong-kong-wreaks-havoc-11-hour-black-rainstorm-signal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:51:30 +0000 Edith Lin,Elizabeth Cheung Edith Lin,Elizabeth Cheung Hong Kong has been battered by heavy rainstorms, with the Observatory issuing the black rainstorm signal, the highest in a three-tier warning system, twice over two days. The second black signal lasted for more than 11 hours on Tuesday as downpours triggered significant flooding in areas such as Tseung Kwan O, Central and Western district, and Tai Po. Floodwaters reached knee height at one point on Tuesday, with muddy water flowing like waterfalls in some locations. The Post looks at how such... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320854/hong-kong-bombarded-scores-rainstorm-warnings-over-past-few-days-why?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320854/hong-kong-bombarded-scores-rainstorm-warnings-over-past-few-days-why?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:59:16 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong authorities have deployed three “mobile powerful pumping robots” for the first time to drain at least 24 flooded locations on a day when the city’s forecaster recorded the heaviest daily rainfall for August since 1884. According to the Drainage Services Department, multiple pumping robots, including three known as “water-pumping dragons” in Chinese, tackled the floods on Tuesday in Pok Fu Lam, Mid-Levels, Admiralty, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Sai Kung, Tai Po, Tolo Harbour, Tsuen Wan and Yuen... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320837/hong-kong-deploys-3-robotic-water-pumping-dragons-drain-24-floods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320837/hong-kong-deploys-3-robotic-water-pumping-dragons-drain-24-floods?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:18:25 +0000 Oscar Liu,Olga Wong,William Yiu,Lam Ka-sing Oscar Liu,Olga Wong,William Yiu,Lam Ka-sing This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Parents have expressed frustration and disappointment after Hong Kong education authorities announced that classes of all day schools would be suspended on Friday because of bad weather, affecting long-planned graduation ceremonies and farewell parties on the last day of term for many. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3317613/hong-kong-set-widespread-heavy-rain-thursday-and-friday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3317613/hong-kong-set-widespread-heavy-rain-thursday-and-friday?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Jul 2025 01:09:38 +0000