There was a rather serious flooding incident in the low-lying area at Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan during a persistent hoisted of black rainstorm warning signal in the very early morning on 16 July 2006.   The area susceptible to flooding is within a 10 hectares low-lying area in the vicinity of Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan of lowest ground level about 2.6 m above sea level.

The Government is implementing a $220 million project in 3 phases to resolve the flooding problem in the Sheung Wan low-lying area.  The project comprises construction of intercepting drains along Queen’s Road Central and a stormwater pumping station at waterfront.

Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel, with an estimated cost of $3 billion, will upgrade the overall flood protection level of the drainage system in the North-western Hong Kong Island spanning from Happy Valley in the east to Kennedy Town in the west.  It comprises construction of a 11 km long drainage tunnel from Tai Hang (大坑) to Pokfulam with diameters ranging from 6.25 m to 7.25 m, 8km long adits and 34 intakes located at the mid-levels intercepting stormwater flows of the upper catchment areas from major stream courses and trunk drains.  The intercepted flow is then diverted through drop shafts to the main tunnel for coastal discharge at Sandy Bay (沙灣) so as to relieve the flooding situation in the lower catchment areas.

Moreover, the Government is to carry out localized drainage improvement works in the various locations of Northern Hong Kong Island.  The works include improvement of about 6 km long existing drains in various locations in Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Quarry Bay, Causeway Bay, Central and Sai Wan.  Decking of the Queen’s College Nullah is also included.

A.                 Progress of Flood Prevention Projects

1.     Contract on construction of 660 m of intercepting stormwater drains along Queen’s Road Central commenced in March 2006 and completed in June 2008.  The drains can intercept about 30% of the upland flows from getting into the Sheung Wan low-lying area.

2.     Construction for the foundation works in the Sheung Wan stormwater pumping station commenced in July 2006.  Tenders for the superstructures and the electrical and mechanical works were awarded in August 2007.  The pumping station is expected to be completed in October 2009.  The underground storage tank will be completed in early 2009 and with temporary pumping facilities, the underground storage tank could be operational before the 2009 rainy season to alleviate the flood risk in the Sheung Wan low-lying area.

3.     Construction of the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel started in December 2007 for completion in 2012.

B.                 Updated on the Flooding Situation

1.      The flood risk in the low-lying areas in Sheung Wan will be relieved after the completion of the intercepting drains in Queen’s Road Central and Shueng Wan Flood Pumping Station in 2009.  To bring on early flood relief, temporary pumping facilities will be provided before onset of the 2009 rainy season.

2.      For the low-lying areas in Sheung Wan, a “Flood Watch” programme has been activated.  Whenever flooding is likely to occur due to high tide (above 2.4 mPD), storm surge or heavy rains, Short Message Service (SMS) or voice messages will be sent to alert the residents and shop owners in the areas.

3.      Whenever “Flood Watch” message was sent or under severe weather condition, a standby team will be mobilized at Wing Lok Street.