Report No. : GEO Report No. 329

Report Title : Factual Report on Hong Kong Rainfall and Landslides in 2014 (2017), 85 p.

Author : E.Y.M. Chan, R.H.C. Law, 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 2014. 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 ACSL Joint Venture (previously known as Fugro URS Joint Venture) and Halcrow China Limited.

Rainfall recorded in 2014 at the HKO's Principal Raingauge at Tsim Sha Tsui amounted to 2,638.3 mm, a surplus of about 10 percent comparing to the mean rainfall of 2,398.5 mm between 1981 and 2010. Two Black Rainstorm Warnings were issued on 30 March and 8 May 2014. Nine Red Rainstorm Warnings and 32 Amber Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 30 March and 13 August 2014, and between 29 March and 3 October 2014 respectively.

Five Landslip Warnings were issued between 30 March and 13 August 2014. A total of 252 incidents were reported to the Government in 2014. Of these, 237 were classified as genuine landslides and 14 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 27 landslides in 2014 with notable consequences. Of these landslides, two led to permanent evacuation of squatter dwellings, two led to temporary evacuation of squatter dwellings, and one led to temporary closure of a kitchen on the ground floor of a village house. The remaining 22 landslides resulted in temporary closure of roads. Other landslides in 2014 primarily 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 2014 landslides.

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