The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) announced today (April 7) the Study of Coastal Hazards under Climate Change and Extreme Weather and Formulation of Improvement Measures – Feasibility Study (Coastal Hazards Study), which comprehensively reviewed the impacts of storm surges and waves on coastal low-lying or windy locations under extreme weather and climate change.
The Coastal Hazards Study adopted a risk management approach to assess the likelihood of coastal hazards and the severity of consequences, and made reference to the records of coastal damage caused by super typhoons in the past. It identified 26 coastal low-lying or windy residential areas with higher risks for formulation of improvement works and management measures to safeguard public safety.
The improvement works comprise various protective and adaptive options, which may include constructing or raising wave walls along the coastline, installing flood barriers at suitable places behind the coastline to cut off water pathways towards inland areas, and/or installing demountable flood barriers at building frontages. Management measures will involve the formulation of action plans on early alert systems and emergency preparedness.
The Government plans to take forward the various improvement works and implement the relevant management measures in an orderly manner over the next five years, and will conduct timely consultation with the stakeholders so as to meet the locals' needs and expectations. The Government will closely monitor the progress of the improvement works and management measures, and will keep track of the climate change situation for carrying out a timely review of the measures for coping with coastal risks.
The executive summary of the Coastal Hazards Study has been uploaded to the CEDD website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/our-projects/project-reports/index-id-24.html) for public viewing.
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