Deluge wreaks havoc in Sai Kung, Kwun Tong

Heavy rain fell again yesterday morning just as the city was struggling to recover from the devastating downpours of last week, with eight areas in Sai Kung, Tseung Kwan O and Kwun Tong flooded.

And more than 100 millimeters of rain fell in one hour up to 10am in Sai Kung, Sha Tin and Tai Po.

A slope at Tsui Lam Estate in Tseung Kwan O turned into a waterfall, and roads outside the estate were flooded.

The two main roads connecting Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O - Kwun Tong Road and Tseung Kwan O Road - were cordoned off after floodwater rushed in.

Chui Si-kay, the acting director of drainage services, noted that Sai Kung's 100ml an hour rainfall was higher than the black rainstorm signal standard of 70 ml/h.

On the eight recorded cases of flooding in Tseung Kwan O, Kwun Tong, Po Lam and Sai Kung, Chui said water levels reached one meter. But all the cases were resolved almost immediately after the Drainage Services Department deployed teams to the scenes.

"The rain had washed along fallen leaves and garbage, blocking the drainage system," Chui said.

The Transport Department said bus services on Kwun Tong Road were blocked in the morning and three Kowloon Motor Bus routes had to be adjusted.

A minibus on Po Lam Road was also hit hard at around 9am, with the driver and passengers stuck inside. Private cars and vans were also trapped on flooded roads.

And residents struggled to leave Ma Yau Tong in Tseung Kwan O.

"It was more serious than during the black rainstorm a few days ago and everything was soaked in ankle-deep water," villager Chan said.

Another resident said: "We used sandbags, but they didn't help. All the sandbags were washed away."

Pupils returned to school after authorities said most roads were clear after the damage wrought by the black rainstorm on Thursday and Friday.

"I left home 10 minutes early as I was worried about traffic jams," said Louis from Shau Kei Wan East Government Secondary School.

Student Darren added: "I heard there were collapsed trees on my way to school. I was worried I might be late."

Cross-border students could only travel to Hong Kong via Heung Yuen Wai and the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang control point as the Man Kam To crossing remained closed.

Fung Kai No 1 Primary School in Sheung Shui said about a tenth of some 200 cross-border students were late due to the traffic.

Authorities said some 140 schools had reported damage by noon yesterday, and five schools will not hold face-to-face classes today.

Still, only showers and sunny intervals are forecast in the next few days.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com