To solve the flooding problem in Wing Lok Street and Hellier Street, Sheung Wan, and the vicinity, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) has a series of drainage improvement projects in hand.
A spokesman for DSD said today (June 25) that the department will seek funding from the Legislative Council later this year for the laying of a one-kilometre long interceptor drain in Queens Road Central in early 2006.
In early 2007, construction of a stormwater pumping station at Sheung Wan is also scheduled to commence. These two projects together will alleviate the flooding problem of this low-lying area, the spokesman said.
In addition, to reduce the flood risks in the Central and Western District, works are in hand for starting construction of a 10-kilometre stormwater drainage tunnel of diameter exceeding 6 metres in the mid-levels in mid-2007 in order to intercept the stormwater from upper hillsides and divert it to Pokfulam for discharge.
The temporary flood storage pond built under the Ping Yuen River training works has greatly relieved the flooding recorded in Ta Kwu Ling area yesterday when compared with previous occasions. Aiming at tackling the flooding problem in the area, the project is scheduled for completion early next year.
To alleviate the flooding problem in Kau Lung Hang, DSD yesterday awarded a $167-million contract to improve the drainage capacity of Ma Wat River. Upon completion of the project in 2008, the flood risks in the area will be greatly reduced.
After the completion of drainage improvement works in the past two years, DSD was able to remove 19 flooding black spots and downgrade another two. They include the well-known serious flooding black spots at Nathan Road (Prince Edward Road area) and Tin Ping Shan, Sheung Shui.
"The department will continue to proactively carry out a series of drainage improvement works with the aim of further strengthening the drainage capacity in the territory," the spokesman said.
Ends/Saturday, June 25, 2005
NNNN