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The Drainage Services Department is implementing a series of major flood
control projects in the New Territories and in West Kowloon, costing about
$12 billion.
In the north-western New Territories, improvement
works to about 20 kilometres of the major river network have been completed.
These cover the lower and middle reaches of the Shan Pui River, the lower
and middle reaches of the Kam Tin River near Yuen Long Nam San Wai, the
Ngau Tam Mei main drainage channel, and the upper reaches of the Kam Tin
River near Kam Tin San Tsuen and Shek Wu Tong. As a result, the flood
risk in the surrounding areas has been relieved.
Construction of the Yuen Long Bypass Floodway commenced
in January. Upon its completion in 2006, the flooding problem in Yuen
Long new town areas will be resolved. Construction of the San Tin eastern
main drainage channel commenced in 2002 and, upon its completion in late
2005, the flood risk in San Tin will be reduced. Design work for the San
Tin western drainage channel is under way.
In the northern New Territories, the critical flood
mitigation undertakings include the Shenzhen River Regulation Project
and the rehabilitation of the River Ganges, which are aimed at improving
the downstream outlets for rivers in the Sheung Shui and Ta Kwu Ling areas.
The first undertaking is a joint project between the HKSAR Government
and the Shenzhen Municipal Government, and the Stage I and Stage II works
on the Shenzhen River have been completed. These works, together with
the completion of river training works in the lower and mid-stream of
the River Indus and the River Beas, have basically eliminated the risk
for formerly flood-prone villages in the Lo Wu, Tin Ping Shan and Ho Sheung
Heung areas.
The Stage III works in the Shenzhen River project
have commenced in phases since 2001 and are scheduled for completion in
early 2006. These works include the training of four kilometres of the
river's channel from Lo Wu to its confluence with the River Ganges.
To tackle the flooding problem in the Ta Kwu Ling
area, a drainage rehabilitation scheme for 1.7 kilometres of the River
Ganges is under way for completion at the end of 2005. Design work for
another 21.5 kilometres of drainage channels in the northern New Territories
is also in hand, including the upstream portions of the rivers Ganges,
Beas and Indus, and the Ma Wat and Kau Lung Hang channels. On completion
of these remaining river training works, the regional flooding problem
in the northern New Territories will have been overcome.
In addition to the river training works, village flood
pumping schemes have been implemented to protect low-lying villages from
flood hazards. These schemes involve construction of bunds around villages
and pumping of stormwater from within the bunded area to an outside channel
during rainstorms. Construction of a village flood pumping scheme for
Chuk Yuen Tsuen and Ha San Wai, near Fairview Park in Yuen Long, was completed
in March, eliminating the flood risk in this 'black spot'. Altogether,
21 schemes are now in operation. Similar schemes for Ma Tin and Shui Pin
Wai are under construction for completion in early 2004. Two more schemes
at Wang Chau, and Mai Po Lo Wai and Mai Po San Tsuen are under construction.
Another two schemes, at Shui Pin Tsuen and Tai Kiu, are at the detailed
design stage.
In West Kowloon, the Stage I drainage improvement
works, which commenced in 1998, were completed in mid-year. These works
included laying about 10 kilometres of stormwater drains in Yau Ma Tei,
Mong Kok, Kowloon Tong, Sham Shui Po and Lai Chi Kok. Drainage improvement
works have also been completed at Nathan Road between Boundary Street
and Nullah Road, providing initial relief to the flooding problem in Mong
Kok.
The Stage II works, which commenced in phases in late
1999 and 2001, are scheduled for completion in 2004. These works include
improvements to about 23 kilometres of stormwater drains in Tsim Sha Tsui,
Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok. This
stage also includes the construction of large flood storage tank underneath
the Tai Hang Tung Recreation Ground in Mong Kok and a 1.5-kilometre stormwater
transfer tunnel from Kowloon Tong to Kai Tak Nullah. The Stage III works
also are under way for completion in 2007. These works include laying
about 11 kilometres of stormwater drains in Yau Ma Tei.
The department has completed seven Drainage Master
Plan (DMP) Studies to review the condition and performance of the existing
stormwater drainage systems in various flood-prone areas throughout Hong
Kong. Phase I of the drainage improvement works as recommended in the
Studies commenced in December 2001 in Yuen Long areas. Further packages
of drainage improvement works for other regions have been included in
the Public Works Programme and are at different planning and detailed
design stages. Another DMP Study for southern Hong Kong Island commenced
in September 2002 for completion in 2004, aiming at devising long-term
and short-term measures to upgrade the stormwater drainage system so as
to cope with current and future development needs.
Under a preventive maintenance programme, the public
drainage system is regularly inspected and desilted before and during
the rainy seasons. These preventive measures ensure that stormwater is
discharged effectively, and prevent blockages and overflows which may
cause flooding and nuisance to the public.
In 2003, the department maintained about 3
223 kilometres of watercourses, river channels and drains, from
which about 60 000 cubic metres of silt were removed. To
provide effective drainage services, the department operates a 24-hour
drainage hotline service to receive complaints from the public on blocked
drains. It also operates an Emergency and Storm Damage Organisation to
ensure that emergency situations are dealt with speedily and efficiently.
The department has completed a series of aesthetic
improvement works to the open nullahs in East Kowloon as part of the Government's
efforts in 'greening' the environment. In March 2002, it began the construction
of a planter parapet to replace the granite wall along the Kai Tak Nullah
in the Wong Tai Sin District, and over 10 000 shrubs were
planted on the parapet to provide a green environment for residents. The
project, costing $1.4 million, was substantially completed in June.
The importance of flood prevention is promoted through
various public education activities. Promotional pamphlets and advisory
notes are published and distributed to villagers and to property management
offices before the rainy season. In addition, the department has organised
site visits for District Councillors and the media to promote their understanding
of the department's work and thereby enhance public awareness of what
is being done to prevent flooding. |
