Report No. : GEO Report No. 254

Report Title : Factual Report on Hong Kong Rainfall and Landslides in 2007 (2010), 73 p.

Author : J.W.C. Lau & C.H.W. Chan

Abstract

This report presents a summary of the factual information on rainfall and landslides in Hong Kong throughout 2007. Rainfall information was obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) to supplement the information available in the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO). Details of the landslides were obtained from the records of landslide incidents reported to the GEO. Supplementary information was provided by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Architectural Services Department, Drainage Services Department, Fire Services Department, Highways Department, Housing Department, Lands Department, Water Supplies Department, together with the GEO's landslide investigation consultants, namely Fugro (Hong Kong) Limited and Scott Wilson Limited Joint Venture, and Halcrow China Limited.

Rainfall at the HKO's Principal Raingauge at Tsim Sha Tsui in 2007 amounted to 1,706.9 mm, which was about 23% below the mean rainfall of 2,214.3 mm recorded between 1961 and 1990. Two Red Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 24 April 2007 and 10 June 2007, and 12 Amber Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 24 April 2007 and 22 August 2007.

A Landslip Warning was issued on 20 May 2007. A total of 86 incidents that occurred in 2007 were reported to the Government. Of these, 83 were classified as genuine landslides. Of the 83 genuine landslides, two were designated as 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 landslides that occurred in 2007. Notable consequences of the landslides included the permanent evacuation of two registered squatter dwellings and the temporary evacuation of two registered squatter dwellings. Five landslides resulted in the temporary partial closure of sections of roads and another six landslides resulted in the temporary closure of sections of pedestrian pavements, footpaths or other forms of minor access paths.

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