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SCMP Reporter

Hong Kong's buildings and infrastructure are strong enough to withstand a magnitude 6 earthquake, the director of the Observatory says. Such  a tremor  strikes the city on average about once every 350 years.
Although Hong Kong is 600km away from the nearest fault line,  the city has earthquakes two to three times in a year,  but they are so mild that people often  do not notice,  said Lam Chiu-ying.
The strongest tremor registered in the city occurred in 1918, measuring between VI and VII  on the Modified Mercalli Scale  (MMS), which along with the Richter scale is used to gauge the strength of earthquakes.
That tremor caused minor damage to a few buildings, about as much as a magnitude 5 quake on the Richter. It was the only earthquake to have damaged the city since 1905.
Speaking on a radio programme yesterday, the director said the city's infrastructure, including bridges, railways and tunnels, could withstand an earthquake equivalent to a  VII on the MMS, or a magnitude 6 on the Richter.
'Most of the buildings are designed to stand against strong winds in Hong Kong,' Mr Lam said.  'Basically they can resist intensity  VII.'
The quake that struck Sichuan province  measured 8 on the Richter.
Mr Lam  said an earthquake measuring  VII on the MMS would occur once in every 300 to 400 years, although it was impossible to forecast exactly when the next  would occur.
Meanwhile, two groups of engineers intend to provide technical assistance in rebuilding  the towns and villages  in Sichuan.
Albert Lai Kwong-tak,  founder of  Engineers without Borders,  said it would take at least five years to finish rebuilding the worst-hit   towns. He will lead a team of  volunteer engineers  to Sichuan next month.
The  Institution of Engineers  is discussing with the government a plan to organise a delegation of professionals to assist in rebuilding.
Raymond Ho Chung-tai,  legislator of the engineering sector, said the government had initially agreed with the proposal.
'We propose to take charge of a small area,' he said. 'The delegation will design, plan and rebuild the site. It will not be finished before  five years.'
Meanwhile, the government has sent more protective gear, disinfection equipment and other relief supplies to Sichuan.
Assistant director of health Cindy Lai Kit-lim  said no serious threats to public health  had been detected in the affected areas and there  had been no  disease outbreaks.



HK's buildings 'strong enough to handle a magnitude 6 quake'