The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, today (October 25) visited Kwun Tong District to inspect typhoon-affected areas in Lei Yue Mun and related follow-up work. He also met with members of Kwun Tong District Council and the local community.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of Kwun Tong District Council, Dr Bunny Chan, and the District Officer (Kwun Tong), Mr Steve Tse, Mr Wong was briefed by the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Edwin Tong, and the Head of Civil Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), Mr Ricky Lau, on proposed improvement works at the seashore of Lei Yue Mun to enhance its capabilities to resist storm surges and the impact of waves.
 
     The proposed long-term and large-scale improvement works include provision of rock-armoured bund or gabion walls at feasible locations along the seashore of Ma Pui Village, Ma Wan Village and Sam Ka Tsuen, and the building of walls along the seafront footpath. The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has discussed with local residents and shop operators and will install stop-logs at appropriate positions and increase the locations for placing sand bags.
 
     Lei Yue Mun is one of the low-lying coastal areas in Hong Kong which is susceptible to seawater intrusion during typhoons. The DSD has in the past installed non-return valves for the drainage outlets on seawalls and constructed temporary barriers using sand bags to resist storm surges.
 
     "As seawater intrusion occurred along the seafront in Lei Yue Mun during the typhoon in August this year, the Kwun Tong District Office, DSD and CEDD have further reviewed the situation and formulated improvement measures to enhance the capabilities of this area to resist storm surges and the impact of waves. The Government will consult Kwun Tong District Council on the details of the improvement works and funding arrangements in November," Mr Wong said.
 
     Mr Wong then departed for the Energizing Kowloon East Office where he met with members of Kwun Tong District Council and local personalities, including representatives of the Kowloon East Association and the Hong Kong Kwun Tong Industries and Commerce Association, to gauge the views of the local community on the policy for revitalising industrial buildings. They also exchanged views on issues of concern raised by local residents.

Ends/Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:40

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