Authorities Warn of Severe Flooding Risks as Super Typhoon Ragasa Approaches Guangdong Coast

Government urges public to stay alert to flooding

In view of Super Typhoon Ragasa edging closer to the coast of Guangdong, the Drainage Services Department (DSD), the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Home Affairs Department (HAD) held a joint press conference today (September 22) to release the latest flood risk assessment and brief the public on the corresponding response measures.

Due to the significant storm surge effect, coastal water levels in Hong Kong during the passage of Ragasa may be comparable to those recorded during Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. According to the latest forecast by the Hong Kong Observatory, the coastal storm surge is expected to be about 2 metres on the morning of September 24, with the maximum coastal water level generally reaching around 3.5 to 4 metres above Chart Datum, and reaching as high as 4 to 5 metres above Chart Datum in Tolo Harbour.

To address potential flooding, the DSD and the CEDD have conducted flood risk assessments for coastal low-lying or windward residential areas with higher risks. Areas with a higher possibility of serious flooding include Tai O, Lei Yue Mun, Sam Mun Tsai New Village, in the vicinity of Ting Kok Road in Tai Po Old Market, in the vicinity of Kwong Fuk Road in Tai Po Market, Kar Wo Lei in Tuen Mun, low-lying areas in central Yuen Long (including Tai Tseng Wai, Wang Chau, Shan Pui Village, Yuen Long Town Centre), low-lying areas in northwest Yuen Long (including Lau Fau Shan, Sheung Pak Nai and Ha Pak Nai, Hang Hau Tsuen, Sha Kiu Tsuen), To Tau Wan Village in Ma On Shan, Nam Wai and Heung Chung in Sai Kung, Tung Chung Bay, and Kat O Fisherman Village, among others. In addition to rising water levels, members of the public should pay particular attention to the risks posed by overtopping waves in coastal areas such as Heng Fa Chuen and Tseung Kwan O South.

The DSD and the CEDD have provided sandbags to the public in the aforementioned areas, with more than double the usual number distributed. For coastal low-lying or windward residential areas with higher risks, the DSD and the CEDD have been working closely with relevant departments to implement appropriate response measures and emergency arrangements according to pre-established action plans. These include deploying temporary water-filled barriers at Po Yick Lane and Pak Shing Street near Kwong Fuk Bridge along the Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po, setting up sandbag walls along the Tseung Kwan O waterfront, and, where feasible, increasing the height of flood protection installations to more effectively prevent seawater from entering buildings or facilities, in order to mitigate potential flooding threats from storm surge and overtopping waves.The DSD has also implemented a number of special operational measures, including increasing the number of emergency response teams to a total of 200 to handle flooding and clear drainage channels in different districts across the territory, and deploying powerful pumping robots on standby in advance at multiple locations with higher risk of flooding.

District Offices have initiated relevant response measures. In view of the possible threats that Ragasa may pose to Hong Kong, District Offices will advance the opening of temporary shelters at 8am tomorrow for people in need. District Offices will closely monitor the situation, and if necessary, individual temporary shelters will commence operation earlier today. The Home Affairs Department has also activated a round-the-clock hotline (2572 8427) at noon today for public enquiries on the relevant information and will continue to release information on the operation of temporary shelters through different channels.

In addition, District Offices have co-ordinated with relevant departments and organisations to enhance preparedness, setting up sandbags and water-stop boards, among others. District Council members, members of "the three committees" and Care Teams are mobilised to disseminate the latest weather information to residents in flood-prone areas, reminding them to make necessary preparations. Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to stay away from their homes or stay at temporary shelters.

The DSD has been maintaining close liaison with Shenzhen Authority. At present, the water level of Shenzhen Reservoir is below the flood control limit and its operation is stable, with no discharge plan for the time being. Should discharge regulation be implemented during the typhoon, Shenzhen Authority will provide timely notification.

Members of the public should stay vigilant to the risks brought by storm surge and overtopping waves, take defensive measures as early as possible, and avoid the affected locations as far as practicable. The DSD urges the public to call the 24-hour drainage hotline at 2300 1110 to report blocked public drains or flooding for prompt assistance. The DSD will also disseminate flood-related information to the public via social media.

Government urges public to stay alert to flooding Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government urges public to stay alert to flooding Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government urges public to stay alert to flooding Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government urges public to stay alert to flooding Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases