A Government spokesman said today (September 8) that, after reviewing the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, considers the weather has moderated, traffic has gradually resumed normal and road conditions have greatly improved, and thus decided to end at midnight the extreme conditions announced at around 5.30am today.
      
     The Highways Department and its contractors have finished the clearance work of major roads and bus routes. It is expected that most of the franchised bus services will be resumed from the first departure tomorrow morning (September 9). A few roads remain closed for repair works. Therefore, it is expected to take some time for full resumption of bus services.
      
     As for railways, except for the suspension of services at certain stations of the Kwun Tong Line, other lines generally maintain services. The MTR Corporation Limited has arranged free shuttle services for suspended stations and will strive to resume full services as soon as possible.
      
     The Government spokesman said that although the extreme conditions will end at midnight, the public should remain highly vigilant and avoid approaching dangerous areas such as those at risk of landslides.
      
     As of 7.30pm, the Home Affairs Department opened 15 temporary shelters for people in need. A total of 335 people have sought refuge at the shelters. The Home Affairs Department, together with relevant District Offices, will continue to provide appropriate assistance for those affected.
      
     As of 8pm, the Drainage Services Department received 60 confirmed cases of flooding. The flooding situation was eliminated for 59 cases after taking actions, and the affected areas were reopened. The department is following up on the remaining case and will strive to complete it by tomorrow.
      
     Meanwhile, the Civil Engineering and Development Department received 39 reports of landslides. It has finished inspecting 17 landslides cases of them. Departments responsible for slope maintenance including the Highways Department and the Lands Department were advised to carry out urgent slope maintenance works as required, and relevant departments are following up the works. The Geotechnical Engineering Office's Emergency Control Centre will remain in operation to inspect, with relevant maintenance departments, the remaining landslide cases with smaller impact and newly reported landslides, and conduct special investigations regarding slopes with high potential risks.
      
     According to the Hospital Authority, as of 8.15pm, a total of 144 people, aged between 8 and 94, sought medical treatment at public hospitals during the period of extreme conditions.
      
     The Government spokesman stressed that in the light of the severe flooding in most parts of the territory caused by a considerably rare rainstorm, the Government will continue to strive to handle and finish the residual relief work with every effort possible to ensure that citizens' daily lives could be fully resumed as early as possible.

Ends/Friday, September 8, 2023
Issued at HKT 23:41

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