Report No. : GEO Report No. 342

Report Title : Factual Report on Hong Kong Rainfall and Landslides in 2016 (2018), 94 p.

Author : R.C.T. Wai, R.W.H. Lee & V.W.W. Kong

Abstract

This report presents a summary of the factual information on rainfall and landslides in Hong Kong throughout 2016.  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 Hong Kong Limited and AECOM Asia Company Limited.

Rainfall recorded in 2016 at the HKO's Principal Raingauge at Tsim Sha Tsui amounted to 3,026.8 mm, a surplus of 26 percent comparing to the mean rainfall of 2,398.5 mm between 1981 and 2010.  One Black Rainstorm Warning was issued on 19 October 2016.  Seven Red Rainstorm Warnings and 33 Amber Rainstorm Warnings were issued between 10 May and 19 October 2016, and between 5 January and 19 October 2016 respectively.   

Two Landslip Warnings were issued on 2 August and 19 October 2016.  A total of 257 incidents were reported to the Government in 2016.  Of these, 226 were classified as genuine landslides and 21 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 23 landslides in 2016 with notable consequences.  Of these landslides, one resulted in damage of the ceiling and a supporting beam of a covered car park and a parked car as well as temporary evacuation of the lowest three floors of a residential building, one led to temporary evacuation of a squatter dwelling and one resulted in three parked cars partially buried by landslide debris.  The remaining 20 landslides resulted in temporary closure of roads.  Other landslides in 2016 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 2016 landslides.

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