Traffic lane to Shek O village reopens after landslides damage only road leading to rest of Hong Kong
- Authorities reopen traffic lane at 9pm on Saturday to allow light vehicles to pass
- Two landslides blocked Shek O Road, only one leading out of village that is home to about 2,500 residents
One of the traffic lanes connecting Shek O with the rest of Hong Kong Island was reopened on Saturday night for light vehicles, after authorities evacuated about 200 residents who were isolated when two landslides triggered by a rainstorm damaged the only road leading out of the area.
Ahead of its reopening at 9pm, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu inspected the site and said he had instructed all departments to race against time to repair roads, provide necessary supplies to residents in Shek O and evacuate those in need.
“We will continue with the repair works and aim to let single-decker buses use the lane from 6am tomorrow if the safety condition allows,” Lee wrote on social media.
Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung earlier said a cross-departmental task force had been set up to reopen the road and provide residents with supplies and communication devices.
“We understand that some residents have commuting needs and so the Fire Services Department and police will help evacuate them via a makeshift bridge and boats to Causeway Bay,” he said, adding some would take refuge in the Moreton Terrace Activities Centre.
Tang said the government had also deployed civil aid and auxiliary medical services to provide around-the-clock assistance to the residents, adding the Government Flying Service was also on standby.
Before the government’s aid arrived, residents in Shek O used their own boats to leave the area.
