The Drainage Services Department (DSD) announced today (July 17) that it would strengthen the "Sheung Wan Flood Watch" service to send out a short message service (SMS) or voice messages immediately to registered subscribers when red or black rainstorm warnings are issued so that they can take precautionary measures against seawater backflow or rainstorms.
A spokesman for the department said whenever the Hong Kong Observatory issued the amber rainstorm warning signal, the DSD would immediately deploy staff and contractors to clear blocked drains in Sheung Wan areas and to remove rubbish at drainage inlets.
The low-lying areas in Sheung Wan are prone to flooding due to seawater backflow. The DSD launched the local flood message dissemination service, "Sheung Wan Flood Watch" in April this year.
An SMS or voice message will be sent to residents and shop operators who subscribed to the service when there is a rainstorm, astronomical tides or typhoon to remind them to take precautionary measures against any flood damage.
Members of the public can also call the "Flood Watch" hotline, 3588 9990, to listen to updates on the flooding situation.
To solve the flooding problem of the low-lying area in Sheung Wan, the DSD started work to lay an intercepting drain in Queen's Road Central in March this year for completion in mid-2008.
In addition, a stormwater pumping station will be built at Sheung Wan harbourfront. The contract for the foundation works of the pumping station was awarded last month.
It is anticipated that when the underground storage tank of the pumping station is completed by early 2009, together with other temporary pumping facilities, the risk of flooding will be greatly relieved during rainy seasons. The entire pumping station project is expected to be completed by October 2009.
Ends/Monday, July 17, 2006
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