Editorial | Hong Kong needs stronger plan for a future of more frequent extreme weather
The fourth black rainstorm warning in eight days brings home the reality that the city must work even harder to prepare for such events
Thanks to the city’s experience of coping with the vagaries of the wet season, including typhoons, over the years, a relatively well-established government mechanism has been in place. But a reality check came as another record-breaking downpour wreaked havoc. The Observatory had recorded 355.7mm of rainfall at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui by 2pm, making it the highest daily rainfall recorded in August since records began in 1884. This is the first time there have been four highest-level rainstorm alerts in eight days.
Credit goes to the government for its advance preparation strategy to reduce the impact and damage brought by typhoons in recent years. But this has also effectively raised expectations of its performance in battling weather-induced crises, especially when the more unpredictable nature of rainstorms leaves little time for public preparation. The havoc wrought by inclement weather underlines the need for stronger and more sustainable preparation. The authorities should go beyond having ad hoc high-level steering meetings each time and make drainage, slope safety and other enhancement works ongoing priorities.
Acts of God are beyond human control but their impact can be mitigated by more vigorous advance preparation. As extreme weather events tend to hit more frequently than once every decade or century, as in the past, the new normal calls for more concerted efforts from all sectors to weather the greater number of storms.