Report No. : GEO Report No. 321

Report Title : Factual Report on Hong Kong Rainfall and Landslides in 2013 (2016), 95 p.

Author : R.W.H. Lee & S.M. Ting

Abstract

This report presents a summary of the factual information on rainfall and landslides in Hong Kong throughout 2013. 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 records of landslide incidents reported to the GEO. Supplementary information was collected from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Architectural Services Department, Drainage 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 AECOM Asia Company Limited.

Rainfall recorded in 2013 at the HKO's Principal Raingauge at Tsim Sha Tsui amounted to 2,847.3 mm, a surplus of about 19 percent comparing to the mean rainfall of 2,398.5 mm between 1981 and 2010. One Black Rainstorm Warning was issued on 22 May 2013; two Red Rainstorm Warnings were issued on 22 May and 24 June 2013 and 23 Amber Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 19 March and 4 September 2013.

One Landslip Warning was issued on 22 May 2013. A total of 256 incidents were reported to the Government in 2013. Of these, 241 were classified as genuine landslides and nine of them were designated as major failure (i.e. with a failure volume of 50 m3 or more, or where a fatality has occurred).

There were 28 landslides in 2013 with notable consequences. Of these landslides, one led to permanent evacuation of one squatter dwelling and two led to temporary evacuation of one squatter dwelling and two village houses on licensed land respectively. The remaining 25 landslides resulted in temporary closure of roads (two of which also affected a construction site at Sau Mau Ping). Other landslides in 2013 affected open areas, footpaths or minor access roads and catchwaters, without any significant direct or indirect consequence. No injury or fatality was reported as a result of the 2013 landslides.

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