Latest news with #EricChan
RTHK
2 days ago
- Climate
- RTHK
Checks across city continue in Wipha aftermath: CS
Checks across city continue in Wipha aftermath: CS Hong Kong saw more than 700 reports of fallen trees and seven flooding cases as Wipha moved across the city. File photo: RTHK Efforts from government departments were underway across town to deal with the aftermath of Typhoon Wipha, Chief Secretary Eric Chan said on Monday. Strong winds and heavy rain from Wipha pounded the city, with the Hurricane Signal No 10 in force for nearly seven hours on Sunday. "While the storm gradually moved away from Hong Kong, various departments have not been relaxed," Chan wrote on social media. "Different teams have launched a new round of special inspections, including carefully checking roadside trees, external walls, signboards, slopes and construction sites, and removing dangerous structure one by one, to ensure the safety of residents." Chan noted that he had chaired an interdepartmental meeting to ensure all relevant departments made early preparations to deal with potential threats. "During the storm, there were more than 700 fallen tree reports across Hong Kong. The Drainage Services Department also received seven cases of flooding. All of which were handled swiftly," he said. Chan also expressed his gratitude to those who "stayed on duty" during Wipha's arrival for their unremitting efforts in helping the city weather the storm safely.
RTHK
5 days ago
- Climate
- RTHK
Govt holds meeting to prepare for incoming storm
Govt holds meeting to prepare for incoming storm Chief Secretary Eric Chan chairs a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons. Photo courtesy of Information Services Department Authorities on Friday said preparations across government departments are underway as Tropical Storm Wipha edges closer to Hong Kong. Chief Secretary Eric Chan chaired a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons, during which he coordinated preparatory works. One of the measures would see the Security Bureau set up an emergency monitoring and support centre if the Signal No 8 is issued. Emergency teams like the Fire Services Department, Police, Civil Aid Service, and Auxiliary Medical Service are also fully prepared and on standby in case of emergencies. The Transport Department will continue to operate a round-the-clock emergency transport coordination centre to monitor traffic and update the public on any disruptions. Meanwhile, the Drainage Services Department has surveyed and cleared about 240 flood-prone spots and deployed up to 180 emergency personnel city-wide.
HKFP
10-07-2025
- Climate
- HKFP
Storm Danas: Hong Kong hoists third amber rain signal in 24 hrs, schools suspended Friday
Hong Kong's Observatory has raised the amber rain signal for the third time in 24 hours, with all schools cancelled for Friday. The amber rain signal is raised when there is rainfall exceeding 50 millimetres falling, or expected to fall, in an hour. The thunderstorm and monsoon signals were also in force during lunchtime on Thursday. The Education Bureau announced on Thursday that all classes at afternoon schools would be suspended for the rest of the day, though whole-day schools would continue. The steering committee on handling extreme weather, chaired by Chief Secretary Eric Chan, also declared that all day schools would be suspended on Friday. 'Due to the rainstorm and thunderstorm associated with the tropical depression Danas, the weather conditions are expected to remain bad tomorrow,' the government said in a press release. Primary, secondary, special schools, kindergartens and childcare centres will be closed, whilst Friday's secondary school admission day events will be postponed to next Monday. The Observatory said that flash floods, flooding and road congestion could occur during the coming hours on Thursday. 'The remnant of Danas is now moving southwestwards across eastern Guangdong. It may then skirt the vicinity of Dongguan to Huizhou. The active southwest monsoon to its south will generally affect the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary today and tomorrow,' it said. 'There will be torrential rain and squally thunderstorms over the region. Under the combined effect of the torrential rain and the southwest monsoon, the weather will be relatively severe.' Heavy rain signals The amber signal was hoisted late on Wednesday, before being replaced by the red signal just after midnight. Warnings were cancelled at 1.40am on Thursday, though an amber and red signal were raised again on Thursday morning. Both were cancelled, only for the amber signal to be raised once more at 12.40pm. Danas has lashed China in recent days, with torrential monsoonal rain causing deadly landslides and flash floods. Meanwhile, since last week, a subtropical high-pressure system has been causing power grid faults and droughts. According to Reuters, meteorologists have linked extreme weather in China to climate change, with ageing flood defences and infrastructure gaps compounding the threat to people and property. The weather in Hong Kong is predicted to remain hot and unsettled over the coming week, according to the Observatory. 'Under the influence of an active southwest monsoon, there will be heavy showers and squally thunderstorms over the coast of southern China and the northern part of the South China Sea in the next couple of days,' it said.
RTHK
09-07-2025
- Climate
- RTHK
Advance preparations made for inclement weather
Advance preparations made for inclement weather Chief Secretary Eric Chan chaired a meeting of the steering committee on handling extreme weather on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Information Services Department. Chief Secretary Eric Chan has ordered government bureaus and departments to make preparations ahead of expected heavy rain and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday. He chaired a meeting of the steering committee on handling extreme weather on Wednesday, after the Observatory has warned of inclement weather when tropical cyclone Danas approaches the region. Danas, now over Fujian, will enter Guangdong on Thursday. While the tropical cyclone will weaken gradually, an active southwest monsoon to its south may bring severe weather to the territory. The Drainage Services Department had inspected about 240 locations at risk of flooding, making sure there were no blockages. A total of 180 emergency response teams will also inspect and clear blocked drains across Hong Kong. The Highways Department will make sure flood warning systems installed at vulnerable road tunnels and pedestrian subways function properly. These include the Kwun Tong Road Underpass, and subways along Shing Mun River in Sha Tin and Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po. District Offices have initiated relevant response measures, including coordinating with other departments and organisations to enhance preparedness. The Security Bureau's Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre will be fully activated from 5pm on Thursday to monitor the situation in the city. The Transport Department will closely monitor road conditions, while the Education Bureau will announce as early as possible arrangements for primary six students reporting to their allocated secondary schools.
South China Morning Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong introduces bill to expand scope for punishing lawmakers' misconduct
Hong Kong authorities have introduced a bill to the legislature that will pave the way for establishing an expanded mechanism in which lawmakers could face suspension and pay cuts for misconduct. The Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill was tabled for its first reading by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki on Wednesday to expand the scope of financial penalties to cover situations in which lawmakers were suspended for violating the proposed Codes for Members. The legislature is expected to approve the amendment by July 23 at the soonest. 'The government welcomes the Legislative Council's efforts in strengthening its self-supervision and self-improvement with higher standards, as well as enhancing its operational transparency. [The new rules] also answer the public expectation for lawmakers,' said Chan as he moved the bill to the legislature. He added that the bill would also give Legco the flexibility to withhold pay and allowances from suspended lawmakers for other reasons as specified in the Rules of Procedure. Chan said that the proposed amendments, if passed, would take effect when the new Legco term commences on January 1 next year.
