*****************************************
The Islands District Office has announced that the flood alerting system, especially designed for Tai O residents, has been activated following the Hong Kong Observatoryˇ¦s (HKO) forecast of serious flooding in Tai O.
HKO has issued an early flood alert to relevant departments and village representatives by phone SMS as it forecast the sea level of Tai O was likely to increase to 3.3 mCD or more in the next few hours during a tropical cyclone.
After receiving the alert, relevant government departments are mobilising their resources for a possible evacuation while village representatives help disseminate the information so residents are well prepared for a flood and can take refuge in safer locations.
The Police, Fire Service Department and the Civil Aid Service personnel will help evacuate affected residents, if required, to temporary shelters or safer locations.
Residents living in low-lying areas of Tai O are advised to leave for a safer place before the flood arrives. The District Office will monitor the situation closely and co-ordinate with other departments to provide assistance for residents.
Ends/Monday, September 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:49
NNNN
