Typhoon blows up can of worms

Typhoon Koinu has brought to light an acute number of absurdities.

First: hundreds of passengers landed at the airport only to discover the Airport Express was suspended. They then scrambled to the taxi stands to leave the airport when typhoon signal No 9 was still hoisted.

It is common sense that they should have stayed in the airport to wait patiently for the typhoon to pass.

It was also weird to hear Airport Authority executive director Steven Yiu Siu-chung saying yesterday that the authority had actually tried to get taxi associations to mobilize cabs to the airport despite the danger.

Passengers might not know better, but Yiu should be aware that the authority's act could have put the lives of taxi drivers and passengers in danger as this would expose them to the storm on the motorway.

Second: a coach company offered to operate eight coaches to commute between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun after public transport services were suspended.

While the motive to give people a helping hand should be appreciated, had the owner ever considered the safety of his drivers?

Third: Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he has asked the Airport Authority, MTRC and transport sector to come up with better transport solutions under extreme weather conditions.

The best solution is to stay indoors rather than taking the risk of continuing the journey by road.

Better contingency should only involve emergency personnel, including police and firemen, who are trained to handle dangers rather than asking untrained and unequipped civilians to expose themselves to danger in a storm.

The Koinu fallout has degenerated into a farce.

Individuals are expected to play their part responsibly during a storm. Except for emergency workers, people are not required to return to their workplaces or schools after signal No 8 is hoisted.

That chaotic evening, No 8 had been in place for a while before No 9 was issued and people should have been home or indoors rather than outside.

Airport terminals are among the safest to stay to wait for a typhoon to pass.

Those unlucky enough to land in the middle of typhoon Koinu should have remained inside the terminals.

Perhaps the Airport Authority should focus its review on supplies like food, water and blankets rather than transport.

The MTRC did nothing wrong in suspending the Airport Express and rail services above ground - but people may be forgetful.

In July 2012, hundreds of train passengers were trapped for hours between the University and Tai Po Market stations after overhead power cables were disrupted by fallen trees at the height of typhoon Vicente's onslaught.

It was after this scary incident that above-ground services would suspend whenever No 9 was hoisted.

The widespread flooding that submerged carparks and MTR stations recently should suffice to show the real danger of a storm.

As Lee asked the various authorities to improve the contingency plan, efforts should be made to make people understand what to do.

One's convenience in a storm can often put someone else in danger.