Affected by the outer rainbands of tropical cyclone Bebinca in mid-August and the heavy showers associated with an active trough of low pressure towards the end of the month, the weather in Hong Kong was gloomier and wetter than usual in August 2018. The mean amount of cloud in the month was 84 per cent, 15 per cent above the normal figure of 69 per cent and one of the highest on record for August. The duration of bright sunshine in the month was only 116.2 hours, about 38 per cent lower than the normal figure of 188.9 hours and the lowest on record for August. The monthly rainfall was 615.1 millimetres, about 42 per cent above the normal figure of 432.2 millimetres in August. The accumulated rainfall recorded in the first eight months of the year was 1590.0 millimetres, a deficit of 17 per cent compared to the normal figure of 1905.5 millimetres for the same period.
 
     Under the influence of an anticyclone over southern China, the weather in Hong Kong was marked by a mixture of sunshine and showers from August 1 to 9. With plenty of sunshine in the morning on August 7, the weather was very hot and the temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory soared to 34.2 degrees around noon, the highest of the month. The high temperature triggered heavy thundery showers over the western part of Hong Kong that afternoon, bringing more than 30 millimetres of rainfall to the western part of the New Territories and over 100 millimetres of rainfall to the southwestern part of Lantau Island.
 
     A broad area of low pressure over the northern part of the South China Sea intensified into a tropical depression on August 9 and was later named as Bebinca. It moved slowly northwards and made landfall near Yangjiang around noon on August 11. Bebinca then made an anti-clockwise loop over the coastal region of western Guangdong and moved back to the coastal waters that night. After drifting southeastwards on August 12, Bebinca intensified into a tropical storm and looped slowly in an anti-clockwise direction off the coast of western Guangdong on August 13 and 14. Bebinca picked up speed to move west-southwestwards and intensified into a severe tropical storm on August 15. It moved across Beibu Wan the next day.  Bebinca made landfall over the northern part of Vietnam and weakened into an area of low pressure inland on August 17. The outer rainbands associated with Bebinca brought occasional heavy squally showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong from August 10 to 16 with more than 150 millimetres of rainfall generally recorded over the territory during this period.
 
     Affected by a south to southwesterly airstream, the weather in Hong Kong was mainly cloudy with occasional showers and thunderstorms from August 17 to 19. The showers were heavier on August 19, with more than 70 millimetres of rainfall recorded over Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Lantau Island. A broad trough of low pressure over the south China coast continued to bring showery weather to Hong Kong on August 20 and 21.
 
      A low pressure area over the northeastern part of the South China Sea moved slowly northeastwards on August 22. It then developed into a tropical depression on August 23 near Taiwan and edged northwards slowly along the western coast of Taiwan. The tropical depression turned west-northwest on August 24 and made landfall over Fujian on August 25. Locally, under light wind conditions, the weather was hot with sunny periods on August 22. Convective activities triggered by high temperatures also brought heavy showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong that evening. Occasional showers and squally thunderstorms still affected the territory on August 23, and the temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory fell to 24.6 degrees during rainfall that night, the lowest of the month.
 
     Apart from one or two showers, the weather in Hong Kong was generally fine on August 24 and 25. Under light wind conditions, there were some haze during the day.  Affected by a broad area of low pressure along the coast of Guangdong, local weather started to deteriorate with heavy showers in the evening on August 26. Heavy rain around midnight on August 26 brought more than 100 millimetres of rainfall to parts of Lantau Island and Hong Kong Island. An active trough of low pressure continued to bring occasional heavy showers and squally thunderstorms to Hong Kong for the rest of the month. Rain was particularly heavy in the New Territories on August 29, necessitating the issuance of a Red Rainstorm Warning Signal, a Landslip Warning and a Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories. More than 100 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of the New Territories, and rainfall exceeded 200 millimetres over Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tai Po and North District. There was serious flooding in many parts of the New Territories and landslides in Fanling, resulting in significant disruption to traffic. A waterspout was also reported near Ting Kau on the morning of August 29.
 
     Eleven tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in August 2018.
 
      Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in August are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for August are tabulated in Table 2.

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (September 5). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition
     
     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 4) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection, and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The case involves a 5-month-old baby boy with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough and runny nose since August 29. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on August 30 and was admitted for further management in the small hours on the following day. The patient has all along been in a stable condition and was discharged yesterday (September 3).

     His cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was meningitis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His mother had recent history of upper respiratory tract infection, while his elder sister had fever since August 29. Both sought medical attention and had recovered. Other home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:
 

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.

     Children suffering from EV infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.

     The public may visit the CHP's page on hand, foot and mouth disease and EV71 infection for more information.

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, will lead a delegation to Shanghai and Seoul, South Korea tomorrow (September 5) to exchange views with medical and health officials of the two places on the development of traditional oriental medicine and Chinese medicine hospitals. They will also visit a traditional Chinese medicine hospital in Shanghai and traditional medicine hospitals in Seoul.
 
     Professor Chan said, "Hong Kong is pushing forward the development of the first Chinese medicine hospital. I hope to make reference to the experience of the Mainland and South Korea in developing traditional oriental medicine, including scope of service, management mode, manpower training and scientific research, gathered from this visit in a bid to ensure that the services of our Chinese medicine hospital will meet the needs of Hong Kong people."
 
     Professor Chan will visit the Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and meet with officials of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning shortly after arriving in Shanghai tomorrow.
 
     The delegation will proceed to Seoul, South Korea on Thursday (September 6). During their stay in South Korea, the delegation will visit the Association of Korean Medicine, the National Medical Center, the Kyung Hee University Oriental Hospital at Gangdong and the National Rehabilitation Center. Professor Chan will also call on officials of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in South Korea and meet with Hong Kong people living there.
 
     The delegation will comprise the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Ms Elizabeth Tse; the Project Director of the Chinese Medicine Hospital Project Office, Dr Cheung Wai-lun; and representatives of the Food and Health Bureau and Hospital Authority. Members of the Chinese medicine hospital's user group will also join the visit.
 
     Professor Chan will return to Hong Kong in the evening on September 7. The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, will be the Acting Secretary for Food and Health during her absence. 

     A cement plant of China Concrete Company Limited located in Sha Ling did not properly cover the materials for making concrete, resulting in the dispersion of a large amount of fine dust which caused air pollution. The company was convicted and fined $8,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 4) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).

     Environmental Protection Department (EPD) officers conducted an inspection this March at the cement plant concerned. It was suspected that the plant illegally stacked up a pile of aggregates and sand at the open space inside the plant, which violated the requirements stipulated in the specified process Licence. The licence stated that aggregates should be properly stored and provided with appropriate cover. The pile of materials, covering an area of about 13 metres by 3m, generated a large amount of fine dust and caused air pollution in the surrounding environment. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the cement plant in accordance with the APCO.

     Cement handling plants are classified as specified processes under the APCO. They are required to obtain a licence from the EPD and should comply with relevant dust control requirements. Aggregates should be stored in the structure, with the top sheltered and its three sides enclosed with rigid walls, and its entrance should be covered with a dust curtain and have water spraying installed, so as to prevent the fine dust from dispersing by wind. If licence holders fail to observe licence conditions, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. Upon second or subsequent conviction, a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed.