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SCMP

This article was first published on September 18, 2006.
Breezy launch is on the cards
By Dennis Eng
The Ngong Ping 360 cable car will open today in one of the windiest months of the year, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
Windy conditions with gusts reaching 90km/h occur on 5.5 days for a total of 52 hours in September on average, according to measurements taken at Ngong Ping between 2002 and last year. June, July and August are typically the windiest months.

The Observatory’s forecast for today is for moderate north to northeasterly winds.
The cable car is scheduled to open at 1pm after three months of delays due to glitches and further testing. Electrical and Mechanical Services Department staff will be on site to monitor the inauguration. The department will also conduct both prearranged and surprise inspections during the initial period.

The system suffered some damage in Typhoon Prapiroon seven weeks ago.
Early this month, the Observatory submitted its study on wind patterns in the area to the cable car operator, Skyrail-ITM.
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip Shu-kwan has said the system is designed to handle local weather conditions. Its operator also manages the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Cairns, Australia, which it said experienced similar weather conditions to those of Hong Kong.

But “wind conditions in Australia and Hong Kong can be quite different”, said Lo Kok-keung, a Polytechnic University engineering expert. “Even though the system is designed to cope with wind speeds in excess of 100km/h, it’s no longer safe to carry passengers.”
Mr Lo attended a trial run of the cable car on June 14, a few hours before Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen enjoyed his first ride.

Three days later, in another trial run, a cabin approaching the Ngong Ping terminal collided with another cabin, triggering an automatic safety mechanism that halted the system and stranded 500 people in their cabins for two hours. The problem was blamed on a failure in the cabin spacing system.


Hongkongers pay tribute to late leader Tung Chee-hwa at community halls

Ngong Ping 360 cable car opens in Hong Kong after typhoon delay - SCMP archive

The story begins …

Hong Kong’s new chapter

Hong Kong society

A Ngong Ping 360 cable car passes the Buddha statue overlooking Po Lin Monastery at Hong Kong’s Lantau Island on September 18, 2006. Photo: Robert Ng

A Ngong Ping 360 cable car passes the lion dance at the official opening ceremony of the cable car service at Hong Kong’s Lantau Island on September 18, 2006. Photo: Robert Ng

The Big Buddha seen from Ngong Ping Village on September 18, 2006. Photo: Xinhua

Visitors on board a first cable car at the opening of Ngong Ping 360 cable car on September 18, 2006. Photo: Robert Ng

Chief Executive Donald Tsang takes his first ride on Ngong Ping 360 cable car on June 14, 2006. Photo: Martin Chan

Hong Kong mourns Mao Zedong’s death in 1976 –  SCMP archive

Mourners wearing black armbands attending the memorial service for China’s late leader Mao Zedong at the Bank of China building on September 16, 1976. Photo: Chan Kiu

Televisions in a retail shop broadcasting the news of Mao Zedong’s death. Photo: M. Chan

The front page of SCMP’s September 10, 1976 issue. Photo: SCMP

People attend a memorial service at Hong Kong’s Bank of China building to mourn the death of Mao Zedong on September 17, 1976. Photo: Chan Kiu

Thousands of mourners queuing up on the grounds of the former Hong Kong Cricket Club to attend Mao Zedong’s memorial service on September 16, 1976. Photo: C. Y. Yu

Hong Kong star Deanie Ip wins best actress at Venice Film Festival – from the SCMP archive

Actress Deanie Ip poses with her Volpi Cup. File photo: AFP

Deanie Ip (right) and Andy Lau in a still from A Simple Life. File photo: Focus Films Limited

Director Ann Hui On-wah (left) poses with actress Deanie Ip as she holds her Volpi Cup for Best Actress. File photo: AP 

25 years ago, America faces ‘darkest hour’ as 9/11 terror attacks unfold – SCMP archive

A second hijacked plane approaches the World Trade Centre towers shortly before crashing into the skyscraper on September 11, 2001. Photo: AFP


A special noon edition of the South China Morning Post published on September 12, 2001. Photo: SCMP

Smoke, flames and debris erupt from the World Trade Centre towers as two hijacked planes crash into the buildings just 18 minutes apart, on September 11, 2001. Photo: AP/Chao Soi Cheong

US President Bush addresses the nation after learning about the World Trade Centre attacks while visiting a school in Sarasota, Florida, on September 11, 2001. Photo: Reuters

Rescue workers fight fires and inspect the damage at the Pentagon in Washington DC, hours after a hijacked plane crashed into the building on September 11, 2001. Photo: AFP/Shawn Thew

A commuter on the Hong Kong MTR reads a newspaper displaying the World Trade Centre attacks, on September 12, 2001. The headlines read: “National Disaster inflicts the United States”. Photo: AP

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Attraction officially launches after 3-month delay following Typhoon Prapiroon damage


Attraction officially launches after 3-month delay following Typhoon Prapiroon damage.


Australia

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Attraction officially launches after 3-month delay following Typhoon Prapiroon damage

Attraction officially launches after 3-month delay following Typhoon Prapiroon damage