Newsletter No. 1

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Welcome to DSD’s Newsletter No. 1 for Kai Tak River projects. This newsletter provides you with latest progress and relevant information of the projects.

DSD’s Kai Tak River Project Background

The drainage capacity of Kai Tak River is inadequate to meet the current flood protection standard. Flooding incidents have occurred at Choi Hung Road and affected Wong Tai Sin and San Po Kong areas during heavy rainstorms. In order to improve the drainage capacity of the Kai Tak River and to mitigate flooding risk to surrounding areas, Drainage Services Department (DSD) is carrying out improvements works for the upstream and midstream sections of the Kai Tak River.

	Upstream Contract	Midstream Contract
Contract	Reconstruction, Improvement and Rehabilitation of Kai Tak River from Wong Tai Sin Police Station to Tung Tau II Estate	Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Kai Tak River from Tung Kwong Road to Prince Edward Road East
Contract No.	DC/2011/04	DC/2013/03
Scope of Works	(a) Reconstruction and rehabilitation of a section of Kai Tak River of about 600 metres long from Po Kong Village Road to Tung Kwong Road; (b) Construction of a box culvert of about 400 m long alongside the Kai Tak River from Wong Tai Sin Police Station to Tung Tai Lane; (c) Relocation of the affected existing watermains and sewers; and associated works.	(a) Reconstruction and rehabilitation of a section of Kai Tak River of about 500 metres long from Tung Kwong Road to Prince Edward Road East; (b) Utilities diversion and ancillary works.
Approved Project Estimate	About HK$1.6 billion	About HK$1.2 billion
Commencement Date	31 October 2011	30 December 2013
Completion Date	Mid of 2017	End of 2017

Interim Measures to Improve Drainage Capacity

To enhance the drainage capacity of Kai Tak River temporarily, some of the public utilities and a large water main located at bottle neck of the Kai Tak River were removed in early 2013. We have also implemented following interim measures to improve the drainage capacity.

Interim Measures

Construct more gullies and drainage pipes at suitable locations

Replace existing hoarding with chain link fence at suitable locations

Inspect and cleanse existing gullies along Choi Hung Road regularly

Core holes at planter walls and nullah deck to assist draining of rainwater

Provide sand bags to shops and residential buildings who may be affected by heavy rain

Emergency Operations under Flooding Incidents

During black rainstorms on 30 March and 8 May 2014, floodings occurred at Choi Hung Road adjacent to the Kai Tak River. It is mainly due to the water flow of Kai Tak River increased rapidly in a short duration, exceeding its current drainage capacity. In addition, a substantial amount of rubbish and leaves blocked the roadside gullies, which exaggerated the situation. Our Emergency Control Centre and the Kai Tak River emergency team activated promptly after hoisting of rainstorm signals. Workers cleared the debris blocking roadside gullies to allow the draining of rainwater. They also assisted the Police to remove broken-down vehicles, which resulted in the traffic of Choi Hung Road resuming to normal in short period.

Although drainage capacity of existing Kai Tak River is inadequate to deal with severe rainfalls similar to that occurred on 30 March and 8 May this year, we believed that the aforesaid emergency measures and those completed interim measures had reduced the extent and adverse impact of flooding significantly.

Flooding at Choi Hung Road on 30 March 2014