Flooding will continue to be a problem until the long term measures have been completed. Having said that, there will still be flood hazards that need to be managed. For example, the intensity of rainstorm may be so extreme as to exceed those allowed for in the design of the drainage system or a tree could fall down during a typhoon, blocking an inlet and causing flooding. It is inevitable that flooding risks will still remain even after all the measures have been implemented.

The Government has contingency plans in place to manage flood hazards. DSD has set up a 24-hour hotline 2300-1110 so that our direct labour force or our contractors can deal with the flooding complaints as soon as possible. We have publicized our performance pledge and every effort is made to ensure that complaints received in the morning are investigated on the same day or the next morning for those received after 1 pm. Complaints received are recorded by a computerised Drainage Complaints Information System so that data could be retrieved and analysed later.

Emergency Control Centre in operation

Direct Labour Force clearing blocked drains under adverse weather

DSD has an Emergency and Storm Damage Organisation in place to handle emergency and flooding problems outside office hours. An Emergency Control Centre overseen by senior professionals is activated when the situation warrants in order to coordinate emergency clearance of blocked drains and watercourses throughout the territory, to handle the large number of complaints and reports of flooding, and to disseminate information within the Government and to the public. Crucial hydraulic structures, such as the facilities within the flood pumping station and the inflatable dams at major channels constructed for stormwater quality improvement, are closely monitored by telemetry and video surveillance for visual monitoring of important electrical, mechanical and civil components.

Water levels of major rivers and channels are now being real-time monitored. Rainfall, tide levels and water levels data are automatically collected at the sites and continuously sent back to the monitoring centre by telemetry. With this real-time flood data, the officers manning the Flood Monitoring and Reporting System can quickly analyse the flooding situation and, when necessary, alert the Emergency Control Centre and other departments, such as Fire Services Department, Hong Kong Police Force, the Home Affairs Department, etc. to prepare for rescue, evacuation and the opening of flood shelters as appropriate.

Hydrometric Information System - a software developed by DSD in-house staff