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The Islands District Office today (June 21) reported on the latest situation in the Tai O area. With the reopening of Tai O Road and Keung Shan Road for public use and the resumption of bus services, the life of the Tai O residents has generally returned to normal.
The Islands District Office will continue to station staff members at the Tai O Rural Committee to assist the residents as necessary.
The 30 village houses and squatter huts which were issued with closure orders by the Buildings Department earlier are not suitable for habitation as they are still subject to landslide threats. Of the affected residents, 16 families have moved into temporary public housing units in Lung Tin Estate, Tai O, under arrangement by the Government, while one family has moved to Yat Tung Estate, Tung Chung. The remaining families are staying at the homes of friends or relatives.
Islands District Office staff have explained to the affected families the latest situation and would find out their needs so as to render assistance. The Government will distribute emergency relief funds to the affected families to help relieve their difficulties.
Works departments have been trying their best to speed up the slope stabilisation projects. If weather conditions permit, the affected residents are expected to be able to move back into their homes in August, when the repair works to the slopes will have been generally completed.
The Islands District Office and relevant government departments will later arrange for the affected residents to go back to their homes to pack up essential items and assist in transportation when conditions are safe.
So far, 10 families involving about 30 people have moved into temporary public housing units in Yat Tung Estate, Tung Chung, while 26 families of about 45 people are staying at Lung Tin Estate, Tai O. The figures include residents who wanted to move out on their own.
Ends/Saturday, June 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:32
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