Evacuation begins after landslide cuts off 200 residents in Shek O
Local | 9 Sep 2023 3:31 pm
Two hundred residents living in Shek O were evacuated on Saturday afternoon after they were cut off from the rest of Hong Kong due to rainstorm-induced damage to Shek O Road - the only road leading into the area.
The move came after two landslides occurred on Shek O Road, blocking transport to and from a village that is home to about 2,500 residents.
Authorities have set up a temporary floating dock in the area and evacuated the group using police and fire rescue vessels. They were arranged to take shelter at the Moreton Terrace Activities Centre in Causeway Bay.
The Government Flying Service was also on standby to assist in the evacuation.
The city’s security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung said a government joint task force has been working tirelessly to repair the road and transport daily necessities to the villagers.
Technicians were also dispatched to reestablish internet and phone services after they were severed during the bad weather conditions, he said.
Telecommunication firm 1010 said earlier that a fiber cable near Shek O was damaged under extreme weather conditions, with its customers in Shek O expected to experience service issues with their broadband, fixed line, mobile and Now TV services.
It added that due to the temporary closure of Shek O Road, it will take some time to conduct emergency repairs.
