Inter-departmental drill on emergency response to flooding held in Tai O (with photos)
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     The Islands District Office, in collaboration with relevant government departments and organisations, conducted a rescue and evacuation drill today (July 24) to enhance their preparedness in the event of serious flooding in Tai O and to promote residents' understanding of the emergency response arrangements.

     The Fire Services Department (FSD), the Police, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), the Drainage Services Department (DSD), the Social Welfare Department, the Housing Department, the Civil Aid Service (CAS), the Tai O Rural Committee, the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council and the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association Tai O Community Work Office participated in the drill.

     According to the emergency response plan, when the HKO forecasts that the sea level at Tai O would rise to 3.3 metres above Chart Datum (mCD) or more in the coming few hours during a tropical cyclone, the HKO will issue an early alert to relevant government departments/organisations and resident representatives/fishermen representatives by SMS.

     Upon receipt of the early alert, relevant government departments will mobilise their resources for a possible evacuation, rescue and relief efforts while resident representatives/fishermen representatives will help to disseminate the information to residents so that the residents can be well prepared for the flood and take refuge in safe locations.

     When the actual seawater level in Tai O reaches 3.0 mCD, the DSD will issue an alert to the relevant government departments/organisations and resident representatives/fishermen representatives concerned. The Police, the FSD, the CAS, social workers and resident representatives/fishermen representatives will then urge residents in the low-lying areas to leave and help evacuate residents in need to temporary shelters.

     To alleviate the flooding risk in the low-lying areas of Tai O (in the area along Wing On Street), the Civil Engineering and Development Department has constructed a river wall about 220 metres long with a coping level of 3.446 mCD at Yat Chung, Tai O.

Ends/Monday, July 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:12

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