Report No. : GEO Report No. 244

Report Title : Factual Report on Hong Kong Rainfall and Landslides in 2006 (2009), 92 p.

Author : H.S.W. Kong & S.M. Tam

Abstract

This report presents a summary of the factual information on rainfall and landslides in Hong Kong throughout 2006. Details of most of the landslides were obtained from the records of incidents reported to the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO), Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD). Supplementary information was collected from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Architectural Services Department, Drainage Services Department, Fire Services Department, Highways Department, Housing Department, Lands Department, Water Supplies Department and the GEO's landslide investigation consultants, namely Fugro Scott Wilson Joint Venture and Maunsell Geotechnical Services Limited. The Hong Kong Observatory provided weather and rainfall information. The Standards and Testing Division carried out a review of the available rainfall records as well as rainfall analyses, and prepared Section 2 of this report.

Rainfall at the HKO's Principal Raingauge at Tsim Sha Tsui in 2006 amounted to 2,627.8 mm, which was about 18.7% above the mean rainfall of 2,214 mm recorded between 1961 and 1990. Three Black Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 24 April 2006 and 16 July 2006, 11 Red Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 24 April 2006 and 13 September 2006, and 25 Amber Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 24 April 2006 and 21 November 2006.

Four Landslip Warnings were issued on 3 May 2006, 2 June 2006, 9 June 2006 and 13 September 2006. A total of 198 incidents that occurred in 2006 were reported to the Government. Of these, 193 were classified as genuine landslides. Of the 193 genuine landslides, five were major failures (i.e. with a failure volume of 50 m³ or more, or where a fatality has occurred).

No injury or fatality was reported as a result of the landslide incidents that occurred in 2006. Other notable consequences of the landslides included the evacuation of eight registered squatter dwellings and one building (village house). Eighteen landslides resulted in the temporary partial closure of sections of roads and another 13 landslides resulted in the temporary closure of sections of pedestrian pavements, footpaths or other forms of minor access.

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