Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Yiu Ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (July 15):
It has been reported that many places in the northern New Territories (particularly the areas around Ta Kwu Ling, Sheung Shui, Fanling and Yuen Long) were hit by severe flooding from the evening of May 20 to the early hours of May 21, 2026 due to rainstorms, even causing power outages for dozens of households. Moreover, as the Hong Kong Observatory issued the Black Rainstorm Signal twice on June 18, the Drainage Services Department had to deploy emergency response teams and the “Mobile Powerful Pumping Robot” to handle flooding cases in the northern New Territories. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of reports on flooding cases, requests for assistance and complaints in relation to flooding in the northern New Territories received by the Government over the past three years, and how the authorities followed up on the relevant flooding cases;
(2) whether the Government has assessed the black spots and causes of the aforesaid flooding incidents in the northern New Territories (including Ta Kwu Ling), e.g. road surfaces being higher than the surrounding ground after brownfield site formation, problems concerning drainage system connections and insufficient capacity or blockages of rural channels;
(3) whether the Government has assessed whether the current stormwater drainage systems and flood prevention facilities in the northern New Territories are sufficient to cope with extreme rainfall events (e.g. rainfall intensity exceeding 100 mm in an hour); of the Government’s specific medium- and long-term projects to enhance the drainage capacity in areas such as Ta Kwu Ling, Ping Che, Sheung Shui and Fanling;
(4) whether the Government will establish stricter drainage standards and regulatory measures (e.g. requiring brownfield operators to provide independent drainage systems and conduct regular maintenance) in respect of drainage problems arising from rural and brownfield development, so as to prevent rainwater from flooding onto roads and into village houses;
(5) of the measures the Government has taken to enhance flood warning systems in the northern New Territories, as well as evacuation arrangements for residents and post-disaster relief support, including whether it will review the thresholds for issuing Special Announcement on Flooding in the Northern New Territories and the efficiency of information dissemination; and
(6) whether the Government will capitalise on the Northern Metropolis development to incorporate the flooding and drainage problems in the northern New Territories (including Ta Kwu Ling) into the overall development and infrastructure improvement plan, including whether it will, in the planning stage of new development areas, simultaneously upgrade stormwater drainage systems, drainage channel capacity and flood prevention facilities, to ensure that new development projects will not exacerbate existing flooding risks while resolving the problems at existing flood black spots?
Reply:
President,
Hong Kong experienced severe rainstorms over the past three years. In 2025, five Black Rainstorm Warning Signals were issued, breaking the highest annual numbers on record since the introduction of Rainstorm Warning System in 1992. This year, as at end of June, three Black Rainstorm Warning Signals have already been issued. Even in the face of heavy rainstorms, Hong Kong’s stormwater drainage system demonstrated its effectiveness in flood control, enabling the community to resume normal operation within a short period of time.
The reply to the Hon Yiu Ming’s question regarding the northern part of the New Territories (especially for the areas of Ta Kwu Ling, Sheung Shui, Fanling and Yuen Long), with relevant policy bureaux and departments consulted, is as follows:
(1) In the past three years (from January 2023 to June 2026), the Drainage Services Department (DSD) received over 7 000 requests for assistance or complaints from the public regarding flooding, water ponding, drainage system blockages, clearing of weeds and silt, and environmental issues in the North District and Yuen Long District. During this period, the DSD confirmed 108 flooding cases in the districts concerned. Upon receipt of flooding reports, the DSD immediately deploys emergency response teams and provides urgent support, assisting in clearing blocked drains and floodwater.
(2) On the evening of May 20 and on June 18, 2026, the areas of northern New Territories were hit by intense rainstorms. On May 20, the heavy rain was mainly concentrated in the North District, with the maximum hourly rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters and the total rainfall of over 300 mm, causing flooding in some roads and low-lying villages. On June 18, the Hong Kong Observatory issued two Black Rainstorm Warning Signals. The heavy rain was again concentrated in the northern New Territories, with certain areas recording a maximum hourly rainfall of over 90 mm and a total rainfall exceeding 260 mm. Both rainstorms resulted in flooding in some roads and low-lying villages. According to the analysis by the DSD, most flooding cases were caused by silt, leaves, branches, and other debris being washed into drainage inlets by stormwater runoff, obstructing drainage facilities and reducing their drainage capacity. In addition, flooding in Ta Kwu Ling on May 20 was due to sudden and intense rainfall, which caused water flowing into the upstream and tributaries of the Ping Yuen River to exceed the discharge capacity of these natural streams, resulting in severe flooding along the river. On June 18, flooding at some places occurred due to the combined effects of high tide at river outlets and continuous heavy rain, which prevented rainwater in low-lying areas from draining away in time.
(3) Since the 1990s, the DSD has progressively completed a number of major drainage improvement works in the northern New Territories, including river training works for major rivers such as the Shenzhen River, Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River, Shek Sheung River, Ping Yuen River, Ma Wat River, Shan Pui River, Kam Tin River, and the Yuen Long Bypass Floodway. In addition, a total of 21 village flood pumping facilities were constructed for various low-lying villages in the North District and Yuen Long District. Following the completion of these improvement measures, widespread occurrence of severe flooding in the North District and Yuen Long District has been alleviated.
Furthermore, the DSD completed the river improvement works and construction of drainage channel at the downstream section and tributaries of the Ping Yuen River near Shui Lau Hang and Ng Chow Road in Ta Kwu Ling in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Moreover, since 2020, it has commenced the following projects, scheduled for phased completion between 2023 and 2030, to enhance the drainage capacity in the rural areas:
- “Drainage improvement works at Yuen Long – stage 1”: Construction of drainage channels and stormwater drains at Tai Tseng Wai, Shui Tsiu San Tsuen, Ho Lik Pui and Shan Ha Tsuen;
- “Drainage improvement works at Yuen Long – stage 2”: Drainage and stormwater channel improvement works at Tai Wo, Shan Ha Tsuen, Ha Che, Sung Shan New Village, and Lin Fa Tei;
- Yuen Long Barrage Scheme: Construction of an automatic flood barrier at the downstream section of the Yuen Long Nullah; and
- “Drainage improvement works at North District – phase 1”: Construction of an underground stormwater storage tank and a stormwater pumping station at Kong Ha and Sha Tau Kok Town; and construction of drainage channels, flood walls, and stormwater drains in villages including Kong Ha, Sha Tau Kok, Shek Kiu Tau, Hang Tau, Kai Fong Garden, Kwu Tung Road, and Tin Ping Shan Tsuen.
To further enhance the drainage capacity of the natural tributaries of the Ping Yuen River in Ta Kwu Ling, the DSD plans to implement the Drainage Improvement Works in Ta Kwu Ling. Since most of the improvement works are located within the proposed “Priority Development Area” of the New Territories North New Town, the proposed drainage improvement works will be integrated into the development. In view of the flooding incident that occurred in May this year at the upstream and tributaries of the Ping Yuen River, the DSD is currently undertaking short- to medium-term flood prevention measures and works. For details, please refer to section (6).
(4) In the planning for rural and brownfield development, various government departments will examine the proposals in different aspects, including reviewing the drainage facilities, and ensuring that they comply with the relevant design standards or regulations so as to minimise flooding risks. If a development project (including rural and brownfield development) requires approval of the Town Planning Board and the proposed works will affect the drainage conditions, the project proponent needs to submit a drainage impact assessment together with the town planning application, and propose and adopt mitigation measures to ensure that the flooding risks in the relevant areas will not be increased.
During adverse weather, flooding may still occur in certain low-lying village houses or villages with underdeveloped private drainage systems. In addition to implementing major drainage improvement works and regularly maintaining the drainage systems, the Government also requires the co-operation of the public to adopt precautionary measures, such as using sandbags, installing demountable flood barriers, and setting up temporary pumps to reduce the associated flood risks. During heavy rain, the DSD deploys additional manpower as necessary, arranging emergency response teams to handle flooding incidents. When required, emergency response teams will be stationed at flood-prone areas, enabling prompt inspections and clearing of blocked channels to reduce flood risks.
(5) The development and movement of heavy rain could be rapid and highly random. When heavy rain with more than 70 mm is expected to fall in an hour in an individual district of Hong Kong, i.e. the rainfall of an individual district is equivalent to the level of black rainstorm, but the heavy rain at the time has not yet spread to most parts of Hong Kong, the Observatory will issue a Localised Heavy Rain Advisory, indicating the affected areas and rainfall amounts, alerting the public that these areas may experience flooding caused by heavy rain and urging them to take corresponding precautionary measures.
For the northern New Territories, the Observatory has a Special Announcement on Flooding in the Northern New Territories, with issuance thresholds similar to the Localised Heavy Rain Advisory (Note). As part of the announcement, the areas in the northern New Territories which are affected by heavy rain, e.g. Ta Kwu Ling, Sheung Shui, Sha Tau Kok, Pat Heung, Kam Tin, San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei, will be listed along with the rainfall amounts, reminding residents to guard against potential flooding in low-lying areas of those districts.
The Observatory will provide the public with heavy rain information as early as technologically feasible. In addition to disseminating the above information through television, radio, the Observatory website and social media platforms, the Observatory will directly push heavy rain information to users via the “MyObservatory” mobile application, including the aforementioned Localised Heavy Rain Advisory and Special Announcement on Flooding in the Northern New Territories, listing areas affected by heavy rain so that the public can take immediate action in adverse weather. The Observatory will continuously review weather warnings and advisories related to heavy rain, including the Special Announcement on Flooding in the Northern New Territories to provide timely and clear information to the public.
When the Special Announcement on Flooding in the Northern New Territories is issued, the DSD Mainland North Region Emergency Control Centre will be activated and District Officers of North District and Yuen Long District will activate their District Emergency Co-ordination Centres. When required, emergency response teams will be stationed at flood-prone areas, enabling prompt inspections and clearing of blocked channels to reduce flood risks. The North District Office and the Yuen Long District Office will liaise closely with the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the DSD, and open temporary shelters as necessary for providing supplies and support to affected persons.
In addition, the DSD has installed river gauging stations covering flood-prone areas in northern and north-western New Territories. When any river water level exceeds its alert level, the DSD will notify the FSD, the Home Affairs Department, the relevant District Officers and the Security Bureau (SB).
Upon receipt of the DSD’s notifications or public reports of flooding, the District Offices will disseminate information to affected residents through District Council members, members of the “three district committees”, Rural Committees, village representatives and Care Teams, and visit the sites to gain a better understanding of the situations if circumstances permit and when necessary. The District Offices will also contact and liaise with relevant government departments to undergo urgent clearance work after flooding, including removal of fallen trees and clearance of blocked drains.
The SB will, having regard to the actual circumstances, consider activating the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre to strengthen the co-ordination of the response efforts of various bureaux/departments. The FSD, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Civil Aid Service (CAS) will also activate, as and when required, the High Command in New Territories North Command of the FSD, the New Territories North Regional Higher Command of the HKPF and the Central Command Centre of the CAS to implement targeted deployment and carry out rescue operations in connection with flooding incidents, with a view to mitigating the threat of flooding. These resources will be strategically deployed in the flood-prone areas having regard to the DSD flood information issued to relevant Government departments.
(6) The design of drainage systems and flood prevention facilities in the new development areas of the Northern Metropolis will follow the DSD’s Stormwater Drainage Manual, which has already incorporated the data and guidelines related to climate change to address the impacts of rising sea level and changing rainfall patterns. In light of the torrential rainstorm in September 2023, the Government has updated the design rainfall parameters in the manual.
In the medium to long term, while planning and designing the new development areas of the Northern Metropolis, the Civil Engineering and Development Department also assesses the drainage impact of the new development on upstream and downstream areas, including villages. Where necessary, the capacity of existing drainage facilities will be enhanced. For example, diverting stormwater that would otherwise flow into nearby villages directly into newly constructed stormwater drainage systems within the new development areas, thereby reducing flood risk. The planning and design of the new development areas will also apply the sponge city concept, incorporate elements of “blue-green drainage infrastructure”, and improve drainage systems and river management. Measures include widening and revitalising existing rivers and constructing stormwater storage facilities to increase temporary storage capacity and divert peak flows, thereby alleviating flood risk in downstream villages and development areas while enhancing overall flood resilience. At the same time, high-quality recreational spaces will be created to provide residents with a livable environment.
In the short to medium term, for rivers in the Ta Kwu Ling area (such as the Ping Yuen River), the DSD is currently implementing flood prevention improvement measures and works, including (1) carrying out dredging works in the Ping Yuen River and its upstream tributaries; (2) deploying super powerful pumping robots to station at Ta Kwu Ling to facilitate immediate pumping of river water to the wider downstream section when the water level of the river exceeds the alert threshold; and (3) constructing stormwater storage tank, pumps and rising mains.
Note: The threshold for the Localised Heavy Rain Advisory is based on the recorded and forecast regional rainfall when heavy rain with more than 70 mm of rainfall in an hour in individual districts of Hong Kong.