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A number of Government departments participated in a drill today (July 5) to enhance their preparedness in the event of serious flooding in Tai O, and to promote to the residents the Government Emergency Response Plan.
The Islands District Office, Fire Services Department (FSD), Police, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Drainage Services Department (DSD), Social Welfare Department, Housing Department, Civil Aid Service (CAS), Tai O Rural Committee and The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council took part in the rescue drill.
The drill aimed to allow representatives from Government departments and district organisations to familiarise themselves with the response plan so that they will be able to act swiftly to evacuate residents and minimise the impacts caused by flooding when the HKO issues an early alert.
The Government Emergency Response Plan consists of three parts, namely an early alert system, an evacuation and rescue plan and an emergency relief programme.
The HKO will issue an early alert to relevant departments/parties and village representatives/fishermen's representatives by SMS when it forecasts that the sea level of Tai O would increase to 3.3 mCD or more in the coming few hours during a tropical cyclone.
Upon receipt of the early alert, relevant Government departments will mobilise their resources for a possible evacuation and rescue and relief efforts while village representatives and fishermen's representatives will help disseminate the information so that residents can be well prepared for the flood and take refuge in safer locations.
When the actual seawater level in Tai O reaches 3.0 mCD, the DSD will issue a real-time flood alert to all departments/parties and village representatives/fishermen's representatives concerned. The Police, FSD, CAS, social workers and village representatives/fishermen's representatives will then persuade residents in the low-lying areas to move and help evacuate them, if required, to temporary shelters or safer locations.
Ends/Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:51
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