Traffic lane to Shek O village reopens after landslides damage only road leading to rest of Hong Kong
- Authorities reopen traffic lane at 9pm on Saturday to allow light vehicles to pass
- Two landslides blocked Shek O Road, only one leading out of village that is home to about 2,500 residents
One of the traffic lanes connecting Shek O with the rest of Hong Kong Island was reopened on Saturday night for light vehicles, after authorities evacuated about 200 residents who were isolated when two landslides triggered by a rainstorm damaged the only road leading out of the area.
Ahead of its reopening at 9pm, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu inspected the site and said he had instructed all departments to race against time to repair roads, provide necessary supplies to residents in Shek O and evacuate those in need.
“We will continue with the repair works and aim to let single-decker buses use the lane from 6am tomorrow if the safety condition allows,” Lee wrote on social media.
Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung earlier said a cross-departmental task force had been set up to reopen the road and provide residents with supplies and communication devices.
“We understand that some residents have commuting needs and so the Fire Services Department and police will help evacuate them via a makeshift bridge and boats to Causeway Bay,” he said, adding some would take refuge in the Moreton Terrace Activities Centre.
Tang said the government had also deployed civil aid and auxiliary medical services to provide around-the-clock assistance to the residents, adding the Government Flying Service was also on standby.
Before the government’s aid arrived, residents in Shek O used their own boats to leave the area.
Hugo Stiles, a 27-year-old resident, used a friend’s boat to take his neighbours to other parts of Hong Kong Island. He said the community did not receive any help until they raised their concern on social media.
“We were literally stranded before being vocal about how difficult the situation is,” he said.
Stiles said elderly who needed regular medical attention were of deep concern.
He added that most boat owners did not charge villagers to ferry them to other parts of the island and offered help voluntarily.
Among the dozens who left Shek O on Saturday morning on their own were Elaine Ng, a 34-year-old financial sector manager, who said she was disappointed with the government for failing to take action on the first day of the road blockage.
“They only take us seriously when everyone is shouting out for help,” she said.
Authorities arranged for three boats to run from 5pm to 7.30pm from Shek O to North Point pier.
A woman who only gave her surname as Fung got on the last ferry at the last minute, with about 10 passengers carrying suitcases.
With no Wi-fi reception in the area, she only learned of the boats by word of mouth and said she planned to stay at her relative’s place.
According to the government, HK Electric received requests for assistance from six households in Shek O and Tai Long Wan villages and the power supply for all affected households had been resumed.
Earlier on Friday, community leaders in Shek O had expressed concerns that locals might be left without access to the rest of the island for a month.
Residents on Friday said some villagers with boats were offering taxi services to hospitals and supermarkets for HK$100 (US$13), while others were planning a one-hour hike over the mountains on Saturday to get supplies.
“Time is of the essence. If there is an emergency, boats and walking is not a solution for elderly people,” said Southern District Council vice-chairman Paul Zimmerman.
“It’s therefore critical to open the road early with an emergency bridge. The mountain path to Chai Wan is suitable for the fit and healthy only.”
Rain began lashing Hong Kong on Thursday evening in a sudden burst of extreme weather, triggering a black rainstorm signal that stayed in force from 11.05pm on Thursday until 3.40pm on Friday.
Hong Kong wakes to submerged roads, landslides amid black rainstorm alert
Two landslides occurred on Shek O Road, the only one that leads into and out of the village that is home to about 2,500 residents.
The elected council member added that the roads into and around Shek O and Big Wave Bay were badly damaged because their drainage systems had limited capacity to deal with intense rain.
Ben Lau, 65, manager of Ben’s Back Beach Bar in Shek O, said residents lost internet connection at around 12pm on Friday, and it had yet to be restored.
“My bar is the only place with Wi-fi, so we are busy tonight,” the long-time local resident said.
Dozens of residents also went to the seashore in an attempt to pick up Wi-fi signals from Tseung Kwan O.
Lau said his bar and restaurant was only one of four establishments selling food in the village.
“There’s also a small convenience store, which sells basics like milk and dried noodles,” he said.
Another Shek O resident, a 50-year-old teacher who only gave his first name, Bob, said there was a film crew in the village on Thursday night when the rainstorm hit.
132 Hongkongers sent to hospitals, all rainstorm alerts cancelled after deluge
“They had to stop filming and sleep in their trucks when the rain hit,” he said.
Bob added the crew had stopped at a local cafe for breakfast before becoming one of the first groups to leave the village by boat.
