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In response to media enquiries on the latest situation in Tai O, a spokesman for the Islands District Office (Islands DO) said that Islands DO has continued coordinating efforts by various government departments to address the concerns of residents in Tai O affected by the recent heavy flooding.
The spokesman said so far, the Islands DO had gathered from the Tai O Rural Committee (RC) information of some 600 affected families who had registered with the RC. The Islands DO would contact these families to assess their situation and provide financial assistance to those in need.
On garbage removal and improving the hygiene conditions at Tai O, the spokesman said the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) continued strengthening its cleansing services for Tai O by deploying 45 cleansing workmen and five refuse collection vehicles. About 80 tonnes of garbage were removed today.
The FEHD also sent three pest control teams comprising 15 staff to Tai O to administer pest control measures.
On the request to extend the stay of those who were temporarily accommodated at Lung Tin Estate until the conditions of their homes were reinstated, the District Office had followed up the matter with the Housing Department. The Housing Department agreed that, to alleviate the hardship of the residents, each case would be considered on their individual merits.
So far, of the six families that have moved into Lung Tin Estate, Tai O since September 24, five still remain.
As to the individual households whose electricity supply was once disrupted due to damage to electricity lines or fuse boxes inside their houses, the spokesman said the Islands DO, in view of the urgency of the matter, had taken the initiative to hire electricians to help the affected residents to fix their electrical installations. Electricity supply to those households had already resumed normal.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and make every effort to provide appropriate assistance to the residents. Residents who were affected by the flooding and have financial difficulties may apply to the Islands DO for emergency relief fund," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, September 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:36
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