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The Islands District Office today (June 22) 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, 21 people have moved into temporary public housing units in Lung Tin Estate, Tai O, under arrangement by the Government, while two have moved to Yat Tung Estate, Tung Chung. The remaining residents are staying at the homes of friends or relatives.
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, about 30 people have moved into temporary public housing units in Yat Tung Estate, Tung Chung, while about 46 people are staying at Lung Tin Estate, Tai O. The figures include residents who wanted to move out on their own.
Ends/Sunday, June 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:01
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