CPND Samole

Security Bureau Circular No.
3/2007
CONTINGENCY PLAN
FOR NATURAL DISASTERS
(INCLUDING THOSE ARISING FROM
SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS)
Emergency Support Unit

Security Bureau
Government Secretariat
September 2007 File Ref. SEC 8/2/12 Part 30
Hong Kong Contingency Plan for Natural Disasters
Contents
Section Subject Page
List of Annexes and Appendices 2
List Abbreviations 3-4
1 Introduction 5
2 Alerting System and Co-ordination 6
3 Tropical Cyclones 7-8

– Warnings and Action to be Taken
4 Rainstorm 9 – 11
5 Flooding 12 - 13
6 Other Natural Hazards 14 - 15

7 Other General Warnings 16
8 Controlling Authorities 17-21
9 Non-Government Organisations’ Responsibilities 22 - 23
10 Bureaux’s and Departments’ Responsibilities 24 - 31
11 Training 33
12 Exercises 34
13 Revision of the Plan 35
Page 1
List of Annexes and Appendices
Annex Title
A Hong Kong’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals 36

Appendix A - Warning Message - No. 8 Signal likely within 2 hours 37
Appendix B - Warning Message - No. 8 Signal issued 38
Appendix C - Warning Message - Precautionary Announcements with 39

No. 8 Signal (Sample)
Appendix D - Warning Message - Precautionary Announcements with 40
No. 9 or No. 10 Signal (Sample)
B Rainstorm Warning System 40-43

Appendix A - Rainstorm Warning System - Sample Rainstorm 44
Warning Signal Messages
Appendix B - Rainstorm Warning System - Sample Special 45-46
Announcement
C Thunderstorm, Rainstorm, Flood and Landslip Warning Services in 47-49

Hong Kong
Monthly Normals of Rainfall Parameters and Thunderstorm Activity at 50
the HKO for the 30 years 1971 – 2000 and Extreme Values for
1884-1939 & 1947 - 2005
Appendix A - Landslip Special Announcement (Sample) 51
Appendix B - Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New 52

Territories (Sample)
Appendix C - Thunderstorm Warning Announcement (Sample) 53
Appendix D - Water Discharge from Shenzhen Reservoir 54

Announcement (Sample)
D Tsunami Warning Service in Hong Kong 55-56

Appendix A - Tsunami Warning 57
Appendix B - Precautionary Announcements to Accompany a 58

Tsunami Warning
Appendix C - Tsunami Information Bulletin 59
E1 – E8 Alerting System 60-68
Page 2
List of Abbreviations
AAHK Airport Authority Hong Kong

AFCD Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
AMS Auxiliary Medical Service
ArchSD Architectural Services Department
BD Buildings Department
BLO Border Liaison Officer
CAD Civil Aviation Department
CAS Civil Aid Service
CE’s Office Chief Executive's Office
CEDD Civil Engineering and Development Department
CEO Civil Engineering Office
CESC Chief Executive's Security Committee
CS Chief Secretary for Administration
DECC District Emergency Co-ordination Centre
DH Department of Health
DOs District Officers
DS(S) Deputy Secretary for Security
DSD Drainage Services Department
ECACCS Enhanced Command and Control Computer System
ECC Emergency Control Centre
EDB Education Bureau
EMSC Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre
EMSD Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
ESU Emergency Support Unit
ETCC Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre
DEVB Development Bureau
FCP Field Command Post
FEHD Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
FSCC Fire Services Communication Centre
FSD Fire Services Department
GEO Geotechnical Engineering Office
GFS Government Flying Service
GLD Government Logistics Department
HA Hospital Authority
HAD Home Affairs Department
HD Housing Department
HKO Hong Kong Observatory
HKPF Hong Kong Police Force
PHQCCC Police Headquarters Command and Control Centre
Page 3
HyD Highways Department

ISD Information Services Department
Lands D Lands Department
LCSD Leisure and Cultural Services Department
MD Marine Department
OFTA Office of the Telecommunications Authority
PCCW-HKT Pacific Century Cyber Works – Hong Kong Telecom
PS for S Permanent Secretary for Security
SB Security Bureau
SBDO Security Bureau Duty Officer
S for S Secretary for Security
SWD Social Welfare Department
TD Transport Department
WSD Water Supplies Department
Page 4
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Natural disasters that occur in Hong Kong are generally the result of severe weather
conditions such as exceptionally heavy rain, storm surges, thunderstorms and tropical
cyclones. These events can result in considerable disruption to transport and other essential
services and cause floods, landslips and other incidents giving rise to casualties. Tsunami,
which is a geophysical hazard that poses a threat to coastal communities worldwide, has a very
small chance of affecting Hong Kong significantly. The consequences of any natural disaster
and the counter measures required to deal with it will vary according to the circumstances.
1.2 This contingency plan summarises the Government’s alerting systems and
organisational framework for responding to such disasters. Functions and responsibilities of
Government departments and other bodies in the event of natural disasters including those
resulting from severe weather conditions are also set out in this Contingency Plan.
1.3 In addition to this Plan, each department has its own detailed operational instructions.
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2. ALERTING SYSTEM AND CO-ORDINATION
2.1 The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) monitors weather conditions closely and
initiates issue of all warnings of severe weather conditions, indicating where and when the
event will occur, how long it will last and what consequences are expected. Messages will also
be issued giving general advice on precautions to be taken to minimise the loss of life and
damage to property, followed by supplementary information and advice as the situation
develops. The HKO will also issue, to the media and Government departments listed in Annex
E4, hourly summaries of the weather warnings whenever Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals,
Rainstorm Warning Signals or Landslip Warnings are in force. The HKO will, in addition, send
these summaries by fax every hour to EMSC, PHQCCC, FSCC and ISD. The HKO will also
inform AAHK via HKO Airport Meteorological Office of the latest Tropical Cyclone Warning
Signals, Strong Monsoon Signal and Rainstorm Signals by fax or appropriate means. These
warnings will then be disseminated by ISD, the SBDO/EMSC, the Police, FSD, TD, MD,
AAHK, PCCW-HKT and other parties according to the Full Alerting System set out in Annex
E. The HKO also monitors the occurrence of earthquake-generated tsunamis, and issue
Tsunami Warnings indicating the estimated time of arrival of the tsunami at Hong Kong. As
communities vulnerable to storm surges due to approaching tropical cyclones are also
vulnerable to tsunamis, the alerting system for tsunamis is the same as that for tropical cyclones
(i.e. Annex E). Upon receipt of these weather warnings or tsunami warnings, and any other
messages received, the listed organisations will take effect any necessary action specified in
this contingency plan and in their own detailed operational instructions. A full list of
emergency contact telephone, facsimile and radio telephone numbers is provided in the “Hong
Kong Emergency Telephone Directory”. This Directory is a Restricted document.
2.2 HAD will handle public enquiries. ISD will deal with the media generally,
although Police Public Relations Branch will handle operational matters such as traffic
accidents, traffic congestion, road diversions and road closures. The media, public and other
outside parties should not contact, or be referred to, SBDO/EMSC or HKO.
2.3 The HKO will maintain close regular contact on the weather or tsunami
situation with the SBDO, or with EMSC if it has been activated. As regards the latest effects of
inclement weather or a tsunami, the ISD, HAD HQ, PHQCCC, FSCC, CEDD, DSD, HyD,
DEVB, TD, MD, Lands D, HA, EDB and SWD should all keep SBDO/EMSC and each other
fully and proactively informed. This will enable all parties to respond quickly and effectively
in a co-ordinated manner. It will also enable SBDO/EMSC to collate all available information;
monitor the situation as it develops; identify problems; and ensure that departments receive any
support necessary. See also paragraph 8.5.7.
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3. TROPICAL CYCLONES -
WARNINGS AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN
3.1 Tropical Cyclone Warnings -Tropical cyclone advisories and/or warnings are
issued by the HKO, via ISD, whenever a tropical cyclone is within 800 km of Hong Kong and
may affect Hong Kong. Such advisories and/or warnings include the name of the tropical
cyclone, the number of the tropical cyclone signal issued and advice on the precautionary
measures that the public should take, including, when appropriate, advice on the timing of
possible sea flooding due to storm surges. Annex A describes in full Hong Kong’s Tropical
Cyclone Warning Signal System, and the respective meanings of the various signals, and gives
some advice on precautionary measures. It also includes some sample warning messages.
Broadcast of Special Advisory and Warning Messages
3.2 When a No. 3 Signal or higher is issued, SWD must decide and advise ISD
whether day nurseries, day crèches, sheltered workshops, supported employment units and day
activity centres for the disabled, day care centres, multi-service centres and social centres for
the elderly, early education and training centres and special child care centres for disabled
children, activity centres for discharged mental patients and social and recreational centres for
disabled persons shall be opened and when they shall be closed. Similarly, EDB must decide
and advise ISD whether kindergartens, schools for physically handicapped children and
schools for mentally handicapped children shall be opened and when they shall be closed.
3.3 In order to spread the demand for public transport services on the issuance of
the No. 8 Signal, HKO will issue via ISD two Advisory Messages explaining to the public
what action should be taken.
3.4 The first Advisory Message (sample at Appendix A to Annex A) will be issued
once the No. 8 Signal is expected within two hours. The following action will be taken by
EDB, SWD and HAD upon receipt of such notification by ISD:
• EDB should monitor the situation and issue press release on school arrangements as
appropriate.
• SWD should activate emergency relief co-ordination centres, and decide whether and
when day nurseries, day crèches, sheltered workshops, supported employment units
and day activity centres for the disabled, day care centres, multi-service centres and
social centres for the elderly, early education and training centres and special child care
centres for disabled children, activity centres for discharged mental patients and social
and recreational centres for disabled persons are to be closed, and should advise ISD
accordingly.
• HAD will ensure that its public enquiry service will be in operation and liaise with the
Police and GLD Land Transport Division to prepare for any large-scale evacuation of
people affected to temporary shelters.
• CAS will activate the CAS Central Command Centre and make manpower and
resources readily available to assist the emergency services.
Page 7
• HKO will advise SBDO of the need to issue warnings. ISD will advise the SBDO that
the warnings are being issued, whether SWD facilities and/or schools are to be closed
and of any other relevant information. The SBDO will arrange to activate the EMSC.
3.5 The second Advisory Message (sample at Appendix B to Annex A) will be

issued once a No. 8 Signal has been issued. This message will be suitably modified if the
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force at the same time.
3.6 All subsequent messages relating to the tropical cyclone will also be
disseminated by ISD and other parties on the advice of the HKO.
3.7 When any of the No. 8, No. 9 or No. 10 Signals are issued, Tropical Cyclone
Warning Bulletins will be broadcast at 15-minute intervals. Appropriate Precautionary
Announcements will accompany these bulletins (samples at Appendices C and D to
Annex A). The latter message will be suitably modified if the Black Rainstorm Warning
Signal is in force at the same time.
Page 8
4. RAINSTORMS - WARNINGS AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN
4.1 The Amber-Red-Black colour coded warning system is operated by the HKO to
give warnings of heavy rainstorms which may affect or are affecting Hong Kong. This
Rainstorm Warning System operates at all times and may be issued alongside other severe
weather warnings, including Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals. A description of the
Rainstorm Warning System is at Annex B.
4.2 During a potentially rainy day, the HKO will continuously assess the likelihood
of significant rain so as to decide on the need to raise a rainstorm warning signal.
4.3 The action to be taken in response to each signal is: -
Status Condition Purpose Action required

Amber Heavy rain has fallen Alert public to (i) HKO will issue a Rainstorm Warning
or is expected to fall potential heavy rain Signal Message and Amber Rainstorm
generally over Hong that may develop Warning Signal Special Announcement
Kong, exceeding 30 into Red or Black via ISD to Government Departments and
millimetres in an signal situations; the media (samples at Appendices A and
hour, and is likely to trigger for B to Annex B)
continue Departments to be (ii) Key liaison and emergency personnel in
on the alert Departments should be on the alert and
be geared up.
Red Heavy rain has fallen Action trigger to (i) HKO will issue a Rainstorm Warning
or is expected to fall initiate Signal Message and Red Rainstorm
generally over Hong pre-assigned Warning Signal Special Announcement
Kong, exceeding 50 sequence of action via ISD to Government Departments and
millimetres in an to combat the media (samples at Appendices A and
hour, and is likely to rainstorms; warn B to Annex B)
continue the public of heavy (ii) Emergency units of non-Government
rain and those who organisations and Government
have to travel Departments should take the necessary
should carefully action stated under sections 9 and 10
consider weather respectively.
and road conditions (iii) SBDO/ESU will closely observe the
development and seek a direction on the
need to activate EMSC.
Black Heavy rain has fallen Action trigger to (i) HKO will issue a Rainstorm Warning
or is expected to fall advise the public to Signal Message and Black Rainstorm
generally over Hong stay indoors, seek Warning Signal Special Announcement
Kong, exceeding 70 shelter or take other via ISD to Government Departments and
millimetres in an precautionary the media (samples at Appendices A and
hour, and is likely to measures. B to Annex B)
continue (ii) Emergency units of non-Government
organisations and Government
Departments should take the necessary
action stated under sections 9 and 10
respectively
(iii) EMSC will be activated if it is not
already operating.
Page 9
4.4 HKO will inform EDB, ISD, PHQCCC, FSCC, SBDO/EMSC, TD, MD,
CEDD, DSD, GFS and PCCW-HKT of the Rainstorm Warning to be issued. These
organisations will immediately alert all other organisations in the manner set out at Annex E.
EDB will decide whether schools will open or should be closed and will inform ISD to issue an
appropriate public announcement. SWD will also be informed by ISD and will advise ISD
whether or not to issue an announcement on the closure of day nurseries, day crèches, sheltered
workshops, supported employment unit and day activity centres for the disabled, day care
centres, multi-service centres and social centres for the elderly, early education and training
centres and special child care centres for disabled children, activity centres for discharged
mental patients and social and recreational centres for disabled persons.
4.5 ISD will liaise with the media to ensure that Amber/Red/Black Rainstorm
Warning Signal messages are disseminated quickly and as a priority. In a similar manner to
those used by television stations for Tropical Cyclones, Amber, Red or Black Rain Clouds will
be displayed in the corner of television screens when in force (samples at Annex B).
4.6 From time to time, special announcements on precautionary measures, weather

situation and rainstorm status will be issued by HKO via ISD to all Government Departments
and the media (samples at Appendix B to Annex B).
4.7 The Black Rainstorm Warning Signal will be in force until the weather
situation improves significantly, when the HKO may, in consultation with SBDO/EMSC and
taking into account the general road conditions, consider it appropriate to cancel or change the
warning. Having made this decision, the HKO will disseminate via ISD to Government
Departments and the media an appropriate Rainstorm Warning Signal Message (samples at
Appendix A to Annex B).
4.8 The Red Rainstorm Warning Signal will be in force until the weather situation
improves significantly, when the HKO may, in consultation with SBDO/EMSC and taking into
account the general road conditions, consider it appropriate to cancel the warning message.
The HKO will disseminate via ISD to Government Departments and the media an appropriate
Rainstorm Warning Signal Message (samples at Appendix A to Annex B).
4.9 HKO will endeavour to give prior indications of the downgrading of Black or
Red Rainstorm Warning Signal. The message will be included in the relevant special
announcement (sample in Appendix B to Annex B).
4.10 The dissemination of warning messages will be made initially by telephone

calls, which will be followed by messages via telecommunications links or multi-fax services.
4.11 The prescribed rainfall levels for the issuance of the Rainstorm Warning Signals
are for guidance only. When prolonged rain occurs, the Rainstorm Warning Signals may be
issued even if these hourly rainfall levels are not reached.
4.12 HKO will try its best to issue the Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal a couple of
hours ahead of anticipated heavy rain. However, this lead time may be considerably shorter in
case heavy rain develops rapidly. Not all Amber signals will be followed by Red. For the Red
and Black Rainstorm Warning Signals, HKO will endeavour to issue them before the
prescribed rainfall levels are reached. However, as local severe rainstorms are extremely
difficult to forecast and may develop very quickly, the lead time will generally be very short.
Page 10
There will even be situations in which a Red is issued without a preceding Amber. Similarly, a
Black may be issued without a preceding Red.
4.13 As with any warning system containing a forecast element, the issuance of
Rainstorm Warning Signals will inevitably involve ‘false alarms’ and ‘misses’. ‘False alarms’
mean that, after the issuance of Rainstorm Warning Signals, the actual rainfall fails to reach the
specified levels. In the case of ‘misses’, Rainstorm Warning Signals are issued after the
specified levels have been reached, due to rapid development of heavy rain. These ‘miss’
situations may even occur in inconvenient hours. Departmental operational procedures should
therefore contain prescribed arrangements to cover such contingencies.
4.14 When both the Rainstorm Warning Signals and tropical cyclone warning
signals No. 8, 9 or 10 are in force at the same time, paragraphs 3.5 to 3.7 above and
Appendices B to D of Annex A regarding the announcements to be made should also apply.
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5. FLOODING – WARNING AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN
5.1 It should be aware that when the Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued, it
implies that there will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. The Red and
Black Rainstorm Warning Signals indicate more serious flooding which could cause major
disruption.
5.2 A Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories will

be issued by the HKO whenever heavy rain affects the area and flooding is expected to occur or
is occurring in the low-lying plains of northern New Territories which covers the North and
Yuen Long Districts. It will be cancelled when the rainfall is no longer expected to cause
further flooding. However, in areas where drainage is poor, flooding may persist for a long
time after the end of a period of heavy rain and the cancellation of the announcement. Once
issued, the announcement will be sent to Government Bureaux/Departments/Offices listed in
Annex E2 and E4, the local radio and television stations for broadcast to the public. The
announcement will be updated at appropriate intervals until heavy rain is no longer expected to
cause any additional significant local effects (sample at Appendix B to Annex C).
5.3 DSD has installed 21 River Stage Gauges covering flood prone areas in
northern and north-western New Territories. When any river stage exceeds its alert level, DSD
will alert FSD, HAD, the relevant HAD District Officer and SBDO/EMSC.
5.4 When a Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories is

issued, the DSD Mainland North Region Emergency Control Centre will be activated. DSD
and contractor staff will stand ready to clear blocked drains and watercourses in northern and
north-western New Territories. FSD, HKPF, GFS and CAS will make available rescue and
ambulance resources for providing evacuation and rescue services for flood victims,
emergency treatment to casualties and their conveyance to hospitals. These resources will be
strategically deployed in the flood prone areas having regard to the DSD flood alert, if issued.
The Emergency Duty Officers of North and Yuen Long District Offices should liaise closely
with FSD and DSD.
5.5 Upon receipt of a notice of a DSD flood alert or a report of flooding, staff of the
District Office concerned will attend the site for obtaining a better understanding of the
situation and contacting village representatives of low-lying areas to give warning. The village
representatives will in turn alert their villagers who will also inform the District Offices
concerned in case of flooding.
5.6 In the event that severe flooding is likely or is occurring in a particular district,
the relevant District Emergency Co-ordination Centre (DECC) should be activated and the
SBDO should be notified of the situation. As flooding is more likely after a prolonged period
of heavy rainfall, District Officers concerned should take into account local situations and
weather conditions before deciding to step down any emergency response, even after the
cancellation of Tropical Cyclone warning signals, Red/Black Rainstorm Warning or Special
Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories.
5.7 The issuance of the announcement does not necessarily mean that the whole
northern New Territories will generally be affected by heavy rain thus causing flooding in all
low-lying plains. Heavy rain may be localised and leads to flooding in certain areas only. It is
Page 12
therefore inappropriate for closures of all schools in the northern New Territories to be
declared automatically upon issuance of the announcement. In view of this unique
circumstance, EDB is responsible, before the rainy season, for advising individual schools in
the northern New Territories to consider and work out school closure arrangements, based on
past experience on flooding and in consultation with DSD.
5.8 The Shenzhen Authority has agreed to give pre-warning to Hong Kong when
water discharge from Shenzhen Reservoir is being considered. As far as possible, the decision
on water discharge will be passed to Hong Kong 3 hours before the discharge. In the event of
unforeseen circumstances where the 3-hour prior notice is not feasible, the Shenzhen Authority
will notify Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Shenzhen Authority will pass the information
to the Border Liaison Officer (BLO) of HKPF. Upon receipt of such notification, the BLO will
immediately pass the message to the North and Yuen Long District Offices and the PHQCCC
which will inform the emergency units of DSD, FSD, WSD, and HKO and SBDO/EMSC as
well as ISD. A standard and factual press release will then be issued by ISD (sample at
Appendix D to Annex C). Once the official communication between BLOs of the two sides has
been established, subsequent exchange of information between technical departments can be
made. Hong Kong will also be informed when the water discharge ceases.
Page 13
6. OTHER NATURAL HAZARDS

- WARNINGS AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN
6.1 Given the hazards posed by Hong Kong’s tropical weather it is necessary to
provide separate warnings for Landslips, Thunderstorms and Tsunami,, in addition to those
for Tropical Cyclones, Rainstorms and Floods. Detailed background information on
Landslips, Floods and Thunderstorms is given in Annex C. As for tsunami, which is a
geophysical hazard, detailed background information is given in Annex D.
6.2 Landslip Warning - Heavy rain can cause landslips. A Landslip Warning will
be issued by the HKO in conjunction with the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) when
there is a high risk of many landslips as a result of persistent heavy rainfall. When a warning
is issued, a Landslip Special Announcement on precautionary measures will be sent to the
local radio and television stations for broadcast to the public. The announcement will be
updated at appropriate intervals until the likelihood of landslips has diminished (sample at
Appendix A to Annex C). When the Landslip Warning criteria is no longer met, the HKO
will cancel the Landslip Warning in conjunction with the GEO.
6.3 Thunderstorm Warning - Whenever thunderstorms are expected to affect

Hong Kong in the short term (within one to a few hours), a brief Thunderstorm Warning
Announcement will be issued (sample at Appendix C to Annex C). Thunderstorm
warnings are issued irrespective of whether thunderstorms are widespread or isolated. If
thunderstorms will affect isolated areas within a short period of time, the thunderstorm
warning issued by the HKO will indicate the areas being affected, to alert members of the
public to take appropriate precautions. When thunderstorms are widespread or the areas
being affected vary, it will be mentioned in the thunderstorm warning that Hong Kong will be
affected by thunderstorms without specific reference to individual areas. Reports of high
gust, hail, tornado and waterspout as well as special precautionary announcements will be
included in the Thunderstorm Warning when situation warrants. Thunderstorm Warnings
are primarily targeted at departments and organisations (including the construction, electric
power and other industries; those outdoors; those at swimming pools and beaches; and those
at sea) which have specific action to take to minimise loss or damage caused by lightning.
The warning is also broadcast to alert the public to the potential threat of lightning. Advice on
precautionary actions to be taken by individuals is given in publicity leaflets distributed by
the HKO.
6.4 Tsunami Warning – If a severe earthquake in the South China Sea or the
Pacific Ocean is expected to generate a significant tsunami in Hong Kong (i.e. a tsunami with a
height of 0.5 metre or more above the normal tide level) and the estimated time of arrival
(ETA) of the tsunami at Hong Kong is within 3 hours, the HKO will issue a Tsunami Warning
(sample at Appendix A to Annex D) to alert members of the public to take precautions
(sample precautionary announcements at Appendix B to Annex D). If a tsunami may reach
Hong Kong but the tsunami height at Hong Kong is not likely to be significant, or a significant
tsunami is expected to arrive at Hong Kong but the ETA of the tsunami is more than 3 hours
away, then HKO will issue a Tsunami Information Bulletin (sample at Appendix C to Annex
D) to notify members of the public. Tsunami Warnings are updated at hourly intervals until a
final warning is issued indicating that the tsunami would not reach Hong Kong or has passed
Hong Kong. Tsunami Information Bulletins are updated once every 6 hours when the time is
more than 6 hours before ETA, and once every hour when the time is 6 hours or less before
Page 14
ETA, until the Tsunami Information Bulletin is replaced by a Tsunami Warning or a final
bulletin. HKO will inform EDB, FSCC, ISD, OFTA, SBDO/EMSC, TD, CEDD, DSD, GFS,
MD, PHQCCC, AAHK and PCCW-HKT of the issuance of the Tsunami Warning or the
Tsunami Information Bulletin. These organisations will immediately alert all other parties
according to the alerting system set out in Annex E.
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7. OTHER GENERAL WARNINGS
7.1 Public and Media - The rainy season in Hong Kong extends from April through
to September. Hence, at the beginning of April each year, a general warning of the risks of
prolonged heavy rain will be issued to the public and media by HKO in consultation with ISD.
7.2 Shipping Industry - Prior to the start of the typhoon season (May - November),
a notice will be issued by MD to all local ship owners and agents.
7.3 Squatter Areas and Floating Population - Before 1 April each year, after
which time heavy rains and landslip can be expected, HAD District Office staff will explain the
dangers of heavy and prolonged rainfall during routine visits to squatter areas and typhoon
shelters and will distribute leaflets containing the names and addresses of local temporary
shelters.
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8. CONTROLLING AUTHORITIES
Disaster Site - Fire Services, Police,

Home Affairs Department,
Information Services Department and others
8.1 Phase I: Rescue
8.1.1 The objectives of this phase are the rescue of life, protection of
property and containment of the situation/incident to prevent any further
deterioration.
8.1.2 In the event of a disaster, it will be necessary to exercise strict

control over access to the disaster site in order to ensure that the emergency
services are not deflected from their task of saving lives, protecting property
and safeguarding the disaster site for subsequent expert investigation. This
control will apply to both members of the Civil Service and the public.
8.1.3 A disaster site normally consists of 2 zones, namely, the inner

cordoned zone and the outer cordoned zone, both of which will be established
by the Police. The Police will consult FSD as necessary on the establishment of
the inner cordoned zone.
8.1.4 The Senior Fire Officer attending a disaster site will be the Rescue
Commander and he will direct all rescue activity within the inner cordoned
zone.
8.1.5 The Senior Police Officer attending a disaster site will be designated
as the Police Field Commander. Each agency will command their own staff in
the discharge of their duties, but the Police, in liaison with the Rescue
Commander and the relevant HAD District Officer, will be the overall
co-ordinator of the activities of all agencies at the scene.
8.1.6 The Rescue Commander will establish a Fire Services Command

Post which will normally be a Mobile Command Unit with green strobe light.
He will inform FSCC immediately of the time of the setting up and the location
of this post. FSCC will then inform the SBDO or EMSC accordingly.
8.1.7 Representatives of other emergency services wishing to enter the

inner cordoned zone of the disaster site will require Fire Services permission. If
need be, Fire Services will issue safety helmets to essential personnel for
working within the inner cordoned zone.
8.1.8 The Police will secure the outer cordoned zone surrounding the
disaster site, and representatives of other departments wishing to enter it will
require Police permission. If need be, Police will issue conspicuous vests or
armbands to essential personnel for working within the outer cordoned zone.
8.1.9 The Police will establish a Field Command Post(FCP) at the scene.
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All police action at the scene shall be directed from the FCP. Likewise, the
co-ordination of all other agencies operating at the disaster site shall be
managed by Police from the FCP. SBDO or EMSC will be notified of the
establishment and location of the FCP.
8.1.10 Close liaison between the Police Field Commander, the Fire
Services Rescue Commander and the relevant HAD District Officer will be
necessary, as will coordination of the work of other agencies and handling of
media & public enquiries. If the demand for emergency medical services
exceeds the normal capacity of the single nearest receiving hospital then a
Medical Control Officer of Hospital Authority, who is a senior accident and
emergency physician, will be sent to the site to command and control the overall
medical response. A Medical Team will also be despatched to the scene of
incident upon request.
8.2 Phase II: Recovery
8.2.1 The objective of this phase is to return the community to a condition

considered acceptable by the community.
8.2.2 The Police will assume overall responsibility for the disaster site,
subject to HAD’s role as Government spokesman and relief co-ordinator, and
also subject to the discharge of any duties or responsibilities vested in any
Government Department or agency by law or agreement. They will then take
follow up action including the collection of human bodies and remains, the
identification of fatalities and the recovery and safe custody of unattended
property.
8.2.3 There will normally be an investigative commitment concerning

death, injury or damage to property. This responsibility calls for the
preservation of evidence and the location of witnesses.
8.2.4 HAD District Officer will co-ordinate relief measures by Social

Welfare Department, Housing Department, and other bodies if necessary, at the
scene with the support of his/her District Emergency Co-ordination Centre
(DECC).
8.2.5 ISD & HAD officers should liaise closely on site and discuss with
other relevant departments to determine the best on-site press release strategy to
deal with media & public enquiries.
8.3 Phase III: Restoration
8.3.1 The objective of this phase is to restore the community to the state
prior to the disaster.
8.3.2 The disaster site should be released as soon as possible but this
cannot be done until investigation and other on-site activities have been
completed. The Police will not vacate the site until it has been properly handed
over to the owner, occupier or a responsible Government Department.
Page 18
8.3.3 This Phase may take some time because of the need to establish the
ownership of property, and return it to the legal claimant.
8.4 Off Site - Departmental District, Regional and Headquarters Co-ordination

Centres
8.4.1 These centres should provide support to their on-site staff,

proactively liaise and work with other centres within their own and other
departments, and keep each other informed of the latest progress as necessary.
Departments should also proactively liaise and work with SBDO/EMSC
through their Headquarters Co-ordination Centres.
8.5 Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre (EMSC)
8.5.1 EMSC will be activated if a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.

8 or higher, a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, or a Tsunami Warning is
issued.
8.5.2 EMSC may also be activated if a major natural disaster has taken
place or other potentially dangerous or disruptive severe weather condition is
likely. In such events, HKO will inform SB through the SBDO. A decision as
to whether to open EMSC will be made by the Secretary for Security, the
Permanent Secretary for Security or the Deputy Secretary for Security(2).
8.5.3 Following a decision to activate EMSC, the SBDO will inform the
Emergency Support Unit (ESU) of the decision and contact the first rostered
EMSC team members who will immediately return to the Government
Secretariat basement to man the centre. The Controller of EMSC will inform
ISD, HAD, Police, FSD, GFS, HKO, TD, HA, Lands D, DEVB and EDB when
the centre is activated.
8.5.4 The ISD Liaison Officer will report to EMSC to establish a two-way
link with ISD’s Combined Information Centre to feed information on the
disaster situation and media and public concerns to EMSC; and to facilitate the
issue of press releases, warnings and advice to the public via the media by
EMSC. ISD will also relay to EMSC any information on restrictions on
transport and other important public messages. The Police and FS Liaison
Officers will report to EMSC to establish links with PHQCCC and FSCC
respectively and keep EMSC informed of the incidents. The Police Liaison
Officer will man the ECACCS terminal and draw important information to the
EMSC Controller’s attention. The DEVB(Works Branch) Liaison Officer will
report to EMSC to liaise with DSD, CEDD, HyD, WSD and other works
departments, and will interpret their reports. Other departmental Liaison
Officers may be required to report to EMSC depending on the circumstances.
Page 19
8.5.5 The HKO will contact the SBDO, or EMSC if activated, at hourly
intervals (more frequently if the situation warrants) to advise on the weather
conditions, including for example the progress of a tropical cyclone and an
indication of the likelihood that a No. 8 Signal will be issued imminently.
8.5.6 On activation, EMSC will immediately establish links with HKO,

ISD, HAD HQ, PHQCCC, FSCC, GFS, CEDD, DSD, HyD, DEVB, TD, Lands
D, MD, HA, EDB, SWD and other relevant parties.
8.5.7 The EMSC Controller on duty will be responsible for -
8.5.7.1 liaising generally with departments mentioned in

paragraph 8.5.4 above (and others if necessary) through their
coordination centres/emergency control centres in order to obtain
and collate information on the overall situation as it develops.
(Note: Departments which need to liaise and work directly with
others should do so directly as far as possible, only involving EMSC
in this process when necessary. Nevertheless, departments should
be proactive in keeping EMSC and other departments fully informed
in a timely and co-ordinated manner of the relevant information of
any major incidents and what action is being taken. This should be
done through regular situation reports (SITREPS) distributed by
appropriate means of communication, e.g. facsimile and Bulletin
Board System of EMSC, hourly, or at appropriate intervals as
directed by the Controller, EMSC. These regular reports should be
supplemented by special telephone and facsimile reports of
important or urgent incidents and information);
8.5.7.2 providing a permanent link with the S for S through

which urgent decisions on policy matters, difficult problems and
emergency powers can be readily obtained by the departments
concerned, together with clarification and guidance on the content
or implementation of directives;
8.5.7.3 briefing senior Government officers on the situation;
8.5.7.4 acting as a link through which urgent public messages or

announcements could be disseminated from the Government
Secretariat via ISD for publication or broadcast;
8.5.7.5 obtaining and issuing policy directives on behalf of the

Chief Executive’s Security Committee (CESC), the Chief Secretary
for Administration (CS) and the S for S;
8.5.7.6 advising CESC in the event that emergency legislation

needs to be enacted to deal with the situation;
8.5.7.7 co-ordinating the acquisition and mobilisation of civil

resources and those of outside bodies if necessary. (Fire Services
and Police resources will be acquired and mobilised by their
Page 20
respective Commanders in liaison with FSCC and PHQCCC. This

will also be the case for other departments);
8.5.7.8 co-ordinating disciplined services, civil and military

operations and resolving problems as necessary in situations which
exceed the resources available to individual departments; and
8.5.7.9 performing any other duties set out in the EMSC

Operational Instructions, contingency plans or as may be required
by CESC, CS and/or S for S.
8.5.8. Departments including, HyD, FEHD, LCSD, Lands D and BD, will
coordinate and carry out the clearance of road blockages to enable early
resumption of normal traffic after typhoon or tsunami. When there are very
significant damage brought to roadside trees and structures, and hence causing a
large number of road blockages, departments may refer to the priority list of
important public roads prepared by TD in setting priority on clearance of fallen
trees from different sources. To speed up the resumption of public transport
services, a designated officer from TD will also attend EMSC to help
collate/update public transport information. HyD, FEHD, LCSD, Lands D and
BD will each set up a single focal point of contact for direct and regular liaison
with EMSC, the Emergency Transport Coordination Centre (ETCC) of TD or
with relevant departments, as appropriate. Nevertheless, it should be noted that
EMSC is not the command or coordination centre for the department’s work
and its role is primarily to monitor and provide necessary support to the
departments’ operation if necessary. The responsibility for clearing road
blockages continues to rest with HyD, FEHD, LCSD, Lands D and BD. In
respect of coordinating the resumption of the public transport services, the
responsibility continues to rest with TD. Hence, in normal circumstances, the
departments will continue to establish the necessary coordination amongst
them. Priority lists of important public roads maintained by TD will be kept at
coordination centres of relevant departments to facilitate the clearance of road
blockage.
Page 21
9. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
9.1 The following organisations will be responsible for transmitting or broadcasting

information about weather conditions, precautionary measures and so on to their customers,
clients and members of the public on the advice of HKO or ISD. They should also inform ISD
and the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) of any disruption to any of their
services and effect quick repairs: -
ATV
Cable TV
Commercial Radio
Metro Radio
PCCW-HKT
Radio Television Hong Kong
TVB
9.2 The following organisations will be responsible for keeping the MD fully
informed of any disruption to their operations during severe weather conditions or a tsunami: -
Asia Container Terminal Co Ltd

COSCO - HIT Terminals (HK) Ltd
CSX World Terminals Hong Kong Ltd
Hong Kong International Terminals Ltd
Hong Kong Pilots Associations Ltd
Hong Kong United Dockyards Ltd
Kowloon Wharf Terminal & Warehouse Ltd
Modern Terminals Ltd
River Trade Terminal Co Ltd
9.3 The following organisations will be responsible for advising the TD Duty
Officer through its Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre, and ISD of any likely
disruptions to the provision of their public transport services due to severe weather conditions
or a tsunami: -
Discovery Bay Transportation Services Ltd

Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd
New World First Ferry Services Ltd
PARK Island Transport Co Ltd
Star Ferry Co Ltd
Citybus Co Ltd
Discovery Bay Transit Services Ltd
Kowloon Motor Bus Co (1933) Ltd
Long Win Bus Co Ltd
New HK Bus Co Ltd
New Lantau Bus Co Ltd
New World First Bus Services Ltd
Page 22
Hong Kong Tramways Co Ltd

Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (East Rail including MOS Rail)
Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (Light Rail)
Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (West Rail)
MTR Corporation Ltd
Peak Tramways Co Ltd
Aberdeen Tunnel
Kai Tak Tunnel
Cross Harbour Tunnel
Discovery Bay Tunnel
Eastern Harbour Crossing
Lion Rock Tunnel
Shing Mun Tunnels
Tai Lam Tunnel
Tate’s Cairn Tunnel
Tseung Kwan O Tunnel
Tsing Ma Control Area (Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Ma Bridge and
Ting Kau Bridge)
Western Harbour Crossing
9.4 The following organisations will be responsible for advising MD, and ISD of
any likely disruption to the provision of their services due to severe weather conditions or a
tsunami: -
Companies Operating Ferries And Other Vessels Services Between

Hong Kong and Mainland
Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Ltd
9.5 The following organisations will be responsible for advising the AAHK, CAD
and ISD of any likely disruptions to the provision of their services due to severe weather
conditions:
Airline Companies
9.6 The following companies will be responsible for informing EMSD, FSD and
ISD of any disruption to services and for making safe and effecting prompt repairs to their
supply lines and stations: -
CLP Power Hong Kong Limited

Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd
Hong Kong Electric Co Ltd
9.7 The following organisation will be responsible for informing all airline
companies of the issuance of severe weather warnings/signals and keeping ISD, SBDO/EMSC
and the Police in the Airport Emergency Centre of AAHK informed of the running of and any
disruption to airline services: -
Airport Authority Hong Kong
Page 23
10. BUREAUX’S AND DEPARTMENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
10.1 During an emergency, Government departments have a general responsibility

for carrying out their normal functions as far as possible. Some departments have specific
operational and reporting duties in an emergency. In this regard, detailed departmental
operational orders/instructions are issued by those departments to the staff concerned.
10.2 It is important that departments concerned should keep SBDO/EMSC and ISD
informed in a timely and co-ordinated manner of the development of all rescue/emergency
operations and other important events and information so that the latter can fully discharge
their respective responsibilities.
10.3 Staff who are not specifically required for duty may, at the discretion of Heads
of Department, be allowed to return home before or upon the issuance of a Tropical Cyclone
Warning Signal No. 8 and possibly also under certain other severe weather conditions,
depending on the journey to be undertaken and the likelihood of certain transport services
being suspended. General guidelines for the release of Government staff in the event of severe
weather conditions have been issued by Civil Service Bureau.
10.4 The responsibilities of the relevant departments are summarised in the

following paragraphs.
10.4.1 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)

- The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation will be responsible
for the operation of the AFCD departmental Emergency Headquarters once a
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher or a Tsunami Warning is
issued in order to collate reports of loss and damage and to direct emergency
measures. When a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or a Landslip
Warning is issued, this Emergency Headquarters may be activated as directed
by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation. The Department is
responsible for the clearance of trees (except those under the authority of FEHD
and LCSD as mentioned in paras. 10.4.14 and 10.4.26 respectively) which
block roads or become dangerous during natural disasters. The Department is
also responsible for assessing the extent of loss or damage to agriculture and
fishery undertakings, reporting this to the ISD Duty Officer, and taking
necessary relief measures.
10.4.2 Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) - The Director of

Architectural Services will be responsible for advising on the stability of
damaged government buildings and for carrying out the necessary emergency
repairs.
10.4.3 Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) - The Chief Staff Officer,

AMS, will be responsible for providing volunteers to give medical assistance to
augment the services of the Hospital Authority and Department of Health and
Fire Services Department’s ambulance services in a natural disaster. When a
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher or a Tsunami Warning is
issued, contingents of AMS personnel will be deployed to ambulance depots to
reinforce regular ambulance personnel as appropriate. When a Red/Black
Page 24
Rainstorm Warning Signal, a Special Announcement on Flooding in the

northern New Territories or a Landslip Warning is issued, the AMS
Emergency Duty Team will also be alerted for deployment as and when
requested by the Fire Services Department.
10.4.4 Buildings Department (BD) - The Director of Buildings will be

responsible for the setting-up and operation of an emergency organisation to
deal with reports concerning damaged private buildings, building works,
landslips and slopes which threaten these buildings.
10.4.5 Chief Executive’s Office (CE’s Office) - See paragraph 10.4.29

below on Security Bureau.
10.4.6 Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) - See paragraph

10.4.29 below on Security Bureau.
10.4.7 Civil Aid Service (CAS) - The Chief Staff Officer, CAS, will be
responsible for deploying trained and disciplined volunteers to assist in
operations such as search and rescue, crowd control, registration of victims,
casualty handling, evacuation and feeding of disaster victims, clearance of
roadways blocked by fallen trees or landslip. During an emergency, CAS
personnel may be called in and deployed as required in all parts of the Territory.
See also paragraph 3.4 and 5.4.
10.4.8 Civil Aviation Department (CAD) - The Director-General of

Civil Aviation will be responsible for broadcasting the latest meteorological
information to all aircraft operating in the Hong Kong Flight Information
Region. In close consultation with the HKO, he will consider restricting air
traffic movements. The Director-General will also take a leading role in
dealing with any aircraft accidents, air crashes and aircraft salvage operations as
detailed in the relevant Security Bureau Circulars.
10.4.9 Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) -

Head of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO), CEDD will be
responsible for deciding in consultation with the HKO when a Landslip
Warning should be issued or cancelled; for advising Government departments
on potential dangers due to landslips and rockfall incidents and on measures to
deal with them; for providing advice and arranging for the supply of explosives
for clearance work involving rocks, dangerous boulders and other occurrences
where the use of explosive is required, and for answering requests for assistance
in the saving of life, protection of property, and miscellaneous calls for action or
assistance within the resources of his Department. The Head of the Civil
Engineering Office (CEO), CEDD will be responsible for advising on the
stability of damaged marine facilities and organising necessary emergency
repairs.
10.4.10 Drainage Services Department (DSD) - The Director of

Drainage Services is responsible for clearing and repairing blocked or damaged
sewers and storm-drains, including engineered sections of open channels, major
stream courses and for ensuring the satisfactory operation of sewage treatment
Page 25
works and floodwater pumping stations. The Department will normally set up
an Emergency Control Centre (ECC) upon the issue of a Tropical Cyclone
Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, a Red/ Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, or
a Tsunami Warning or when circumstances so warrant. The ECC acts as
DSD’s channel of communication with DEVB and other departments and also
as a link with EMSC. The Mainland North Region Emergency Control Centre
will also be set up upon the issue of Special Announcement on Flooding in the
northern New Territories or upon receipt of notification of water discharge from
Shenzhen Reservoir. See also paragraph 5.3 above.
10.4.11 Education Bureau (EDB) - The Secretary for Education and

Manpower will decide whether and if so, at what time schools and
kindergartens will be closed, in consultation with the HKO, ISD, DSD and
Regional Command & Control Centres of HKPF on the weather, road and
traffic situations. Please also see paragraphs, 3.4, 4.4 and 5.7 above.
10.4.12 Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) - In

close liaison with the utilities companies, the Director of Electrical and
Mechanical Services will be responsible for ensuring that, in the event of
electricity and town gas supplies being interrupted during severe weather
conditions, these companies will, as quickly as practicable, carry out repair
works to resume supply. Upon request, the Department will also provide
special equipment to assist with search and rescue operations.
10.4.13 Fire Services Department (FSD) - The Director of Fire Services

will be responsible for extinguishing fires, protecting life and property in case
of fire or other calamity and emergency rescue work, which includes rendering
assistance to people who appear in need of immediate medical attention and
conveying them to hospital. The Department will report incidents in which it is
involved to the ISD Duty Officer, and pass on necessary information on natural
disasters to the AMS and CAS. See also paragraphs 5.4, 8.1.1 to 8.1.10 and
8.5.4 above.
10.4.14 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) - The

Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene will be responsible for carrying
out the following duties:
(a) under the direction of Police, the removal of dead

bodies, and to assist the Director of Health to arrange
for temporary mortuary facilities when required;
(b) supply of temporary toilets and dustbins, collection
of refuse and maintenance of hygiene in temporary
and relief centres;
(c) clearance of dangerous or fallen trees after cutting up
by LCSD from public roads in the urban area not
within recreation sites maintained by AFCD or
LCSD and the access to them is not restricted by
drop gates. Also see paragraph 8.5.8;
(d) clearance of refuse from open/surface drains and
Page 26
choked gullies; and

(e) removal of animal carcasses.
10.4.15 Government Flying Service (GFS) - The Controller, GFS, will

be responsible for providing whatever flying services may be required for
life-saving, flying of relief supplies, aerial photography, surveillance, casualty
evacuation and reconnaissance. All requests for helicopters should be made to
the PHQCCC or FSCC. See also paragraph 5.4.
10.4.16 Government Logistics Department (GLD) - The Director of

Government Logistics will be responsible for supplying emergency items (e.g.
blankets, sandbags, disinfectant) from its central warehouse at the Government
Logistics Centre, and for arranging the urgent purchase of non-standard items.
The Land Transport Division of GLD will be responsible for the provision of
emergency transport support to deliver these items to user departments if
departmental transport is unavailable. A control centre will be set up in the
Hong Kong Transport Pool, within one hour from being notified, to co-ordinate
the deployment of pool vehicles.
10.4.17 Health, Department of (DH) - The Director of Health will

provide a physicist at a disaster site, if radioactive substances are involved. If
required, the Director of Health, with assistance from Director of Food and
Environmental Hygiene when necessary, will arrange for temporary mortuary
facilities, and for the carrying out of autopsies.
10.4.18 Highways Department (HyD) - The Director of Highways will

be responsible for clearing and repairing blocked or damaged public roads,
removing dangerous and fallen boulders and dealing with landslips on
unallocated Government land which has not been allocated to any department
for maintenance, answering requests for assistance in the saving of life,
protection of property and miscellaneous calls for action or assistance within
the resources of his Department, and for co-ordinating repairs to utilities during
emergencies. The Department is also responsible for keeping TD informed of
the progress in their road repair and clearing work at regular intervals to enable
TD to co-ordinate and develop transport arrangements as necessary. Also see
paragraph 8.5.8.
10.4.19 Home Affairs Department (HAD) - The Director of Home

Affairs will be the “Disaster Relief Co-ordinator”, working through the
headquarters emergency control centre and the District Officers. The District
Officers will co-ordinate disaster relief efforts at the local level, in co-operation
with Social Welfare Department, Housing Department and others as necessary.
District Officers of the HAD will be responsible for co-ordinating emergency
relief work in their districts and for reporting to their headquarters on the local
situation. Each District Office will set up a DECC to be manned around the
clock when a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, a Red or
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, or a Landslip Warning is issued. When a
Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories is
issued, the District Officers of North and Yuen Long Districts should decide if
Page 27
the DECC should be activated having regard to prevailing local conditions.

When a Tsunami Warning is issued, each District Office will activate the
DECC. As soon as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 is issued, the
Public Enquiry Hotline of HAD Headquarters will be manned 24 hours a day to
answer public enquiries of a non-technical nature. When a Tropical Cyclone
No. 8 Signal or higher, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, a
Landslip Warning or a Tsunami Warning is issued, staff of HAD
Headquarters will open an Emergency Co-ordination Centre which will act as a
channel of communication with the DECCs in District Offices and also as a link
with the EMSC. This Centre is responsible for supplying the ISD with regular
situation reports on conditions in the districts. HAD shall arrange for
community centres/halls to be available to the people who are affected by
natural disaster and required temporary shelters. HAD will also provide advice
on matters affecting the residents of the district and co-ordinate the strategy for
dealing with public enquiries on site. In the event of a major incident, the
relevant District Office will make decision on the opening of a help desk which
will be manned by HAD, HKPF, FSD, SWD and other organisations where
appropriate. See also paragraphs 5.4 to 5.6 above.
10.4.20 Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) - Director of the Hong Kong

Observatory will be responsible for originating all weather-related warnings,
tsunami warnings, and general precautionary announcements to the public and
for providing meteorological or tsunami-related advice to other
departments/agencies. See also paragraphs 2.1 to 6.4 above.
10.4.21 Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) - The Commissioner of

Police will be responsible for the co-ordination of all agencies operating at the
scene of the disaster during rescue, recovery and restoration phases until the site
is handed over to its lawful owner(s) or other controlling authority. He will also
be responsible for the preservation and security of the site during this time. He
will control and direct traffic so as to restrict general access and facilitate
emergency services’ access to the site, and to facilitate unimpeded casualty
evacuation. He will also collate and disseminate data on casualties arising from
the disaster. If necessary in a major disaster, he will mobilise the Casualty
Enquiry Unit at PHQCCC to facilitate this work and notify ISD and
SBDO/EMSC of the contact telephone number. The Casualty Enquiry Unit
will be supported by the Disaster Victim Identification Unit and Casualty
Documentation Teams. Where there is evidence of a criminal offence or
criminal negligence, or where directed by the Coroner or other competent
authority, he will be responsible for conducting investigations into the facts.
Within HKPF, PHQCCC is responsible for co-ordinating the overall Police
response to any emergency and for liaison with other Government Departments
including SBDO/EMSC, HAD, ISD and TD, keeping them informed of traffic
accidents and road conditions and other matters and handling their enquiries.
The Police will also keep SBDO/EMSC, and where appropriate ISD, informed
of casualties, missing persons and other relevant information. Meanwhile, the
Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) is responsible for informing the media
of traffic accidents and road conditions and other matters and handling their
enquiries. See also paragraphs 5.4, 8.1.1 to 8.3.2 and 8.5.4 above.
Page 28
10.4.22 Hospital Authority (HA) - The Chief Executive of the Hospital

Authority will be responsible for providing emergency medical services during
a natural disaster. These services will be co-ordinated by HA’s Head Office
Duty Officer (HODO). The HA Civil Disaster Control and Co-ordination
Centre will be manned upon the issuance of a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal,
a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, a Tsunami Warning or at
the outbreak of a major disaster. If situation warrants, the HA will send a
medical team and a Medical Control Officer to the site of incident involving a
large number of victims at the request of FSD. The HA is also responsible for
advising ISD and PHQCCC’s Casualty Enquiry Unit, if mobilised, on the
number and conditions of victims attended or admitted to its hospitals as a result
of the above circumstances.
10.4.23 Housing Department (HD) - The Director of Housing, in

conjunction with the relevant District Officer(s) of HAD and the Director of
Social Welfare, will be responsible for providing emergency accommodation
for victims made homeless by natural disasters. HD Departmental
Communication Centre, which is a focal point of contact for the public and
government departments during emergencies, is manned by Duty Officers
outside working hours. The Department is also responsible for advising the
ISD Duty Officer of damage to public housing, and of the number of people
provided with emergency accommodation.
10.4.24 Information Services Department (ISD) - The Director of

Information Services will co-ordinate overall public relations strategy as well as
the Press Release strategy for handling media enquiries and be responsible for
promptly issuing advisory warnings and related information to the
SBDO/EMSC, PHQCCC, other government departments and the public via the
media, on advice from HKO, Secretary for Development, Head of GEO, CEDD
or EMSC. ISD will liaise, through its Combined Information Centre, with
departments having key front-line roles in natural disasters and will issue
special announcements and regular round-ups on disaster conditions to the
SBDO/EMSC, PHQCCC, other government departments and the public via the
media. ISD will also co-ordinate and advise the setting up of hotlines by the key
responsible departments if situation warrants. See also paragraph 8.5.4 above.
10.4.25 Lands Department (Lands D) - The Slope Maintenance Section

of Lands D is responsible for emergency and urgent repair works to landslips
occurring on man-made slopes on Unallocated Government Land Category 5(f)
as detailed in Appendix A of WBTC No. 26/99. The District Lands Officers of
the New Territories will be responsible to the DECCs of HAD NT District
Office for locating areas affected by a Tropical Cyclone, Rainstorm, Flooding,
Landslip or Tsunami, and for making first-hand ground situation reports to the
DECCs at the district offices for further necessary action. They will then deal
with applications for repairing/rebuilding of damaged structures covered by
permits/licences. They will also assist in providing land status reports on the
disaster area to relevant Government Departments having a duty to take
follow-up action in the aftermath of the disaster. The Department’s Survey and
Mapping Office is responsible for providing existing mapping data and
supplying aerial photography, in conjunction with GFS, of the disaster area.
Page 29
The Office will also conduct topographical surveys after the disaster if
necessary.
10.4.26 Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) - The

Director of Leisure and Cultural Services will be responsible for providing
staff, when required during an emergency, for the cutting up within the urban
areas, and the cutting up and clearance within the New Territories of dangerous
or fallen trees within their venue and from roadsides within 5 metres from the
edge of a public road except those traversing Country Parks. Also see
paragraph 8.5.8. When a Tsunami Warning is issued, LCSD will advise ISD
whether to issue an announcement on the closure of beaches and suspension of
water activities.
10.4.27 Marine Department (MD) - The Director of Marine will be

responsible for liaising closely with shipping companies and freight terminal
operators during severe weather conditions or a tsunami warning with a view to
controlling and deciding whether to close the Port, and for co-ordinating
assistance to any vessels found in distress through his Maritime Rescue
Co-ordination Centre. The Department will keep the public, ISD and
SBDO/EMSC informed of the running of and any disruption to ferry and other
vessel services plying Hong Kong/Macao and Hong Kong/Mainland operated
by respective companies. The Director will also take the leading role in dealing
with any incidents in the harbour or out at sea, as detailed in the relevant
Security Bureau Circulars/Contingency Plan.
10.4.28 Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) - The

Director-General of Telecommunications will be responsible for promptly
relaying the possible Telecommunications Network Congestion Warning to the
telecommunications network operators upon receipt of a Tropical Cyclone
Warning Signal No. 8 or above, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, or
a Tsunami Warning from HKO and will monitor any disruption to any of their
services and effect quick repairs.
10.4.29 Security Bureau /Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre

- SB monitors and supports Government’s overall response to major
emergencies including those arising from severe weather conditions and
tsunamis. SB also provides the link and first point of contact between the rest of
Government, and Chief Executive’s Office (CE’s Office) and the Chief
Secretary for Administration through the SBDO/EMSC, S for S, PS for S or
DS(S)2, depending on the circumstances. The S for S, PS for S or DS(S)2 will
decide when CE’s Office and CS need to be informed and will advise on how
they may need to be involved. Communication with CE’s Office or the CS on
emergencies should be channelled through SBDO/EMSC. The EMSC will be
activated and manned by staff of the Government Secretariat on instructions
from the S for S, PS for S or DS(S)2 and whenever a Tropical Cyclone No. 8
Signal or higher, a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, or a Tsunami Warning
comes into effect. It may also be activated as a result of other severe weather
conditions and/or emergency situations. Communications between EMSC and
departments will normally be through the telephone system and the Bulletin
Board System. The EMSC fallback telephone network will be used if there are
Page 30
problems with the telephone system. Also see paragraphs 8.5.1 to 8.5.7.
10.4.30 Social Welfare Department (SWD) - The Director of Social

Welfare, in conjunction with the relevant District Officer(s) of HAD and the
Director of Housing, will be responsible for providing food, blankets and other
emergency items when victims of a disaster are in need and when temporary
shelters are open following the issue of a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal
No. 8 or higher, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, a Landslip
Warning, or a Tsunami Warning. The Department has three emergency relief
duty teams in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively,
which can be deployed in an emergency. Each of these teams is headed by a
Duty Officer (Emergency Relief) who can be contacted through PHQCCC, and
who should comply with the Police’s requests as far as possible. The
Department is also responsible for advising SBDO/EMSC and the ISD Duty
Officer of the relief measures which have been taken. The Director of Social
Welfare will decide whether, and if so, at what time, day nurseries, day crèches,
sheltered workshops, supported employment units and day activity centres for
the disabled, day care centres, multi-service centres and social centres for the
elderly, early education and training centres and special child care centres for
disabled children, activity centres for discharged mental patients and social and
recreational centres for disabled persons will be closed. Based on the
information provided by the HKO, ISD and Police Public Relations Branch on
the weather and traffic situations, the Director will also advise parents and those
taking care of the disabled and elderly not to take children, disabled and elderly
to the centres in view of the severe weather conditions (though the centres will
remain open as usual).
10.4.31 Transport Department (TD) - The Commissioner for Transport

will be responsible for keeping in contact with the HKO, Police and HyD to get
updates on the weather and road conditions to better co-ordinate public
transport through close liaison with the respective transport operators and to
develop traffic and transport contingency plans. If need be, Emergency
Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will escalate its operation to Fixed
Mode Tier 2 or Tier 3. The Department will keep SBDO/EMSC, Police, ISD
and HyD fully informed of the details of public transport operations. The
Department will also be responsible for alerting and liaising with public
transport operators, tunnel and bridges operators and mitigating the effects of
traffic and transport problems. Moreover, to facilitate the timely restoration of
the public transport system after typhoon, the Department has issued "a list on
important routes for road clearance operations after typhoon" to departments
concerned for reference when undertaking road clearance work. Also see
paragraph 8.5.8.
10.4.32 Development Bureau (DEVB) - The Secretary for Development

shall provide a Liaison Officer to EMSC to be the DEVB (Works Branch)
Liaison Officer. That officer will liaise with DSD, CEDD, HyD, WSD and
other departments in the Transport and Housing Bureau, to interpret reports sent
to EMSC, advise both EMSC and the departments of important relevant
developments and, should the situation warrant it, to co-ordinate the
emergency/remedial roles of these departments. Details of the roles of these
Page 31
departments in emergencies and relevant contact telephone numbers are given

in the current DEVB (Works Branch) Emergency Directory and DEVB
Technical Circular.
Page 32
11. TRAINING
11.1 Departmental Training Programmes
11.1.1 A Departmental Training Officer must be designated by each

department involved in this contingency plan. He must be familiar with the
contents of his own department’s plan on the subject, and must ensure that the
plan is included in the overall training programme of the department.
11.1.2 Training courses should be given as early as possible to all new

staff who will be involved in the plan, whilst refresher courses should be
organised for existing staff on a regular basis.
11.1.3 As the correct initial responses are of paramount importance to

the success of the plan, officers of the departments below must be thoroughly
trained on their roles in dealing with emergency situations arising from natural
disasters.
Education Bureau
Development Bureau
Security Bureau
Departments in the Transport and Housing Bureau
Fire Services Department
Home Affairs Department
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Police Force
Information Services Department
Transport Department
Works Departments in the Development Bureau
Page 33
12. EXERCISES
12.1 Testing of the Plan
12.1.1 The adequacy and effectiveness of the plan should be fully

tested on a regular basis. Suitable scenarios involving natural disasters should
also be included in the Government’s Command Post Exercises.
12.2 Operational Drills
12.2.1 Annually, all emergency organisations should test their

operational procedures and conduct drills for those of their sections that are
involved in the plan.
Page 34
13. REVISION OF THE PLAN
13.1 Security Bureau will co-ordinate annual updating of the contingency

plan in consultation with all addressees. Revisions of the plan should also
incorporate recommendations made as a result of reports on exercises for
improvements in training, equipment, procedures and so on.
13.2 All bureaux, departments and other agencies are responsible for
promptly notifying Security Bureau, as and when they occur, of any changes to
this contingency plan that may be necessary as a result of reorganisations,
changes in capabilities and available resources and other circumstances. SB
will then issue suitable amendments to all addressees.
13.3 Suggested amendments to this contingency plan should be addressed to

the Emergency Support Unit of the Security Bureau on telephone 2810 2870 or
by fax 2501 4755.
Page 35
Annex A
Hong Kong’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals

Please log on to the following webpage of the HKO for details of the Tropical Cyclone
Warning Signals:
http://www.weather.gov.hk/publica/gen_pub/tcws.pdf
Page 36
Annex A
Appendix A
WARNING MESSAGE
No. 8 Signal likely within 2 hours
1. The following message will be released by HKO via ISD once it has been
decided that the issuance of a No. 8 Signal is expected within 2 hours -
(a) The Hong Kong Observatory announces that the Tropical

Cyclone Warning Signal Number 8 is expected to be issued
at or before noon/midnight/_________a.m./p.m./today/
tomorrow ( ). Winds locally will strengthen further.
(b) The Government advises members of the public with long or

difficult home journeys or having to return to outlying
islands to begin their journeys now. The Government is now
making arrangements to release its employees accordingly.
[To be issued between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. only]
(c) Announcement by the Education Bureau (EDB): The EDB

announces that classes of all schools are suspended today.
[To be issued between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.]
(d) Announcement by the Education Bureau (EDB): The EDB

Schools should implement contingency measures to ensure
the safety of students. They should ensure that conditions
are safe before allowing student to return home.
[To be issued between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.]
2. The above message(s) will only be issued when it is reasonably believed No. 8
Signal will be issued within 2 hours. The media will be asked to broadcast this message at
15-minute intervals.
3. If the broadcast time is expected to be outside normal office hours (i.e. before 9
am and after 5 pm) when the majority of the population are unlikely at their places of work,
HKO will suitably rephrase paragraph 1(b) in the above message to reflect the situation at that
point in time.
4. ISD will remind the media of the need for announcing details of transport
service restrictions or withdrawals immediately after the broadcast of the above message.
They will also update the details of such information in liaison with TD and transport operators
and immediately inform parties concerned of any changes.
Page 37
Annex A
Appendix B
WARNING MESSAGE
No. 8 Signal issued
1. The following message will be released by HKO via ISD once the No. 8 Signal
has been issued:
(a) “Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 was issued at

_________ (Time) on __________ (Date).
(b) Members of the public are advised to return home at once.

[This sentence is to be deleted if Black Rainstorm
Warning is in force]
(c) The major land-based public transport systems will continue

to operate with some additional services being provided until
further notice. Certain public transport services will
continue to be available for some time. However, ferry
services may cease at short notice. For details of public
transport services, please refer to radio or television
broadcast.
(d) Announcement by the Education Bureau (EDB): The EDB

[To be issued between 4 a.m. and 11 p.m.]
2. The media will be asked to broadcast this message at 15-minute intervals after
the issuance of the No. 8 Signal.
3. If the broadcast time is expected to be outside normal office hours (i.e. before 9
a.m. and after 5 p.m.) when the majority of the population are unlikely to be at their places of
work, HKO will suitably rephrase paragraph 1(b) and 1(c) in the above message to reflect the
situation at that point in time.
4. ISD will remind the media of the need for announcing details of transport
service restrictions or withdrawals immediately after the broadcast of the above message.
They will also update the details of such information in liaison with TD and transport operators
and immediately inform parties concerned of any changes.
Page 38
Annex A
Appendix C
WARNING MESSAGE
Precautionary Announcements with No. 8 Signal (Sample)
1. Complete all precautions in your home. Lock all windows and doors, fit bars into
position and insert reinforced shutters and gates if they are available. Adhesive tape
fixed to large window-panes in exposed positions will reduce damage by broken glass.
Storm water drains should be cleared of leaves and rubbish.
2.# Park your car where it is least likely to be damaged. (# :(2) should not be broadcast at night.)
3. Do not stand near windows on the exposed side of your home. Move all furniture and
valuables away from these areas. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter, should
windows be broken.
4.* Since seas are very rough / high, you are advised to stay away from the shoreline and
not to engage in water sports.
5. Flights at Hong Kong International Airport may be affected by the weather. Please
contact your airline for the latest flight information before departing for the airport.
6.* Owners of neon signs are reminded that

/ they should now arrange for the electricity supply to their signs to be cut off.
/ the electricity supply to all neon signs should be switched off now.
7. Please listen to your radio or watch your TV for the latest weather information
broadcast at the 15th, 30th, 45th and 58th minute of each hour. You can also browse the
Hong Kong Observatory’s web site for the information.
(With a departing tropical cyclone:)
8.* Although the tropical cyclone is moving away from Hong Kong, gales are expected to
persist for some time. You are advised to stay indoors until winds moderate and it is
safe to go out. On no account should you touch electric cables that have been blown
loose.
9.* As gales and violent squalls are still occurring in places, precautions should not yet be
relaxed.
* Delete as appropriate
Page 39
Annex A
Appendix D
WARNING MESSAGE
Precautionary Announcements with No. 9 or No. 10 Signal (Sample)
1. Do not go outside. If you are reasonably protected, stay where you are and keep well
away from all windows. Close all interior doors and make sure children are confined to
the least exposed part of your home. On no account should you touch electric cables
that have been blown loose.
2. Stay away from exposed windows and doors because glass, already under strain from
wind pressure, will shatter if a flying object should hit it. Make sure you have a safe
place to shelter, should windows be broken. You should only fix broken windows and
doors when there is no danger in doing so.
3. If the eye of the tropical cyclone passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a
temporary lull lasting a few minutes to several hours. This will be followed by a
sudden resumption of violent winds from a different direction. Remain where you are
if protected and be prepared for destructive winds and the change in wind directions.
Listen to broadcast warnings.
4.* Since seas are very rough, / high, / phenomenal, you are advised to stay away from the
shoreline and not to engage in water sports.
5.* If you are away from home #and cannot return fairly soon, find a safe place and remain
there until the danger is over. (# delete the words "and cannot return fairly soon “ if
Rainstorm Black Warning is in force).
6. Flights at Hong Kong International Airport may be affected by the weather. Please
contact your airline for the latest flight information before departing for the airport.
* Delete as appropriate.
Page 40
Annex B
RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM

(revised 1998)
The rainy season in Hong Kong is normally between April and September. Rain could be particularly
heavy and persistent during May and June, causing severe traffic disruption and on occasions major floods and
landslips resulting in casualties.
The rainstorm warning system is designed to alert the public about the occurrence of heavy rain which is
likely to bring about major disruptions, and to ensure a state of readiness within the essential services to deal with
emergencies. It is independent of other severe weather warnings such as tropical cyclone warning and landslip
warning, which will be issued separately where necessary.
There are three levels of warning: AMBER, RED and BLACK.
The AMBER signal gives alert about potential heavy rain that may develop into RED or BLACK signal
situations. There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. Key Government departments and
major transport and utility operators are put on alert.
The RED and BLACK signals warn the public of heavy rain which is likely to bring about serious road
flooding and traffic congestion. They will trigger response actions by Government departments and major
transport and utility operators. The public will be given clear advice on the appropriate actions to take.
Once issued, the signals are broadcast over radio and television. For your own safety, listen to radio or
television announcements for the latest information.
GUIDE TO THE RAINSTORM SIGNALS
AMBER RAINSTORM WARNING SIGNAL
Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong,
exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue for a
period of time.
Action
Members of the public should take necessary precautions to reduce
their exposure to risk posed by heavy rain, such as flooding.
Parents, students, school authorities and school-bus drivers should

listen to radio or television announcements on the weather, road and
traffic conditions.
Candidates for public examinations should attend the examination as

normal, but should listen to radio or watch television in case the
weather deteriorates suddenly.
Farmers and fish pond owners, particularly those in low lying or flood
frequented areas, should take the necessary precautions to minimise
losses, which include checking and clearing the drainage system within
and around the farm/fish ponds to ensure that all the drains are not
blocked. Where possible, fish pond operators should reduce the water
level of ponds which are likely to be flooded.
Page 41
RED RAINSTORM WARNING SIGNAL BLACK RAINSTORM WARNING SIGNAL
Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally Very heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall
over Hong Kong, exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour, generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimetres
and is likely to continue. in an hour, and is likely to continue.
Action
Students should stay home or, if already at school, should remain there until the end of normal school hours and
conditions are safe for them to return home.
If the RED/BLACK signal is issued when some students have set out for school -
◊ School-bound students should normally proceed to school unless the road or traffic conditions ahead are not
safe.
◊ School-bus drivers should listen to radio broadcasts on the latest development of the rainstorm and ensure that
students are taken to a safe place, normally the school, unless road or traffic conditions ahead warrant
otherwise.
◊ Schools should arrange to be open and appropriately staffed to look after any students arriving until the end of
normal school hours. Schools must also ensure that conditions are safe before allowing students to return
home.
Candidates for public examinations should listen to radio or watch television for an announcement to be made by
the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority.
Drivers should beware that there are likely to be serious road flooding and traffic congestion.
People should avoid going near easily flooded watercourses or passing through flooded areas. People whose
home may be seriously flooded should consider evacuating their home until the rain has eased and flood water
subsided.
Employees working outdoors in areas exposed to rain Stay indoors or take shelter in a safe place until the
should suspend outdoor duties if weather conditions in heavy rain has passed.
those areas so warrant.
People who have to travel should carefully consider Employees working outdoors in exposed areas should
weather and road conditions. stop work and take shelter.
If the RED signal is issued before working hours, People having no safe place to go may take temporary
employees should report for duty as usual, provided refuge in any of the special temporary shelters opened
that transport services are available. Supervisors are by the Home Affairs Department.
encouraged to adopt a flexible attitude in case their
staff have genuine difficulties in arriving at work on Employers are advised not to require their employees
time. to go to work unless prior agreement on work
If the RED signal is issued during office hours, arrangements during rainstorms has been made.
employees working indoors should remain on duty as
usual unless it is dangerous to do so. Employees in
areas where transport services are about to be People who are already at work should stay where they
suspended can be exceptionally released at the are unless it is dangerous to do so.
discretion of the supervisor. In exercising their
discretion, supervisors should take into account the
weather and road conditions.
Page 42
NOTES ON ISSUANCE OF THE WARNING SIGNALS
1. The rainfall criteria for the issuance of rainstorm warning signals are for guidance only.
When prolonged rain occurs, the signals may be issued even if these rainfall criteria are
not breached for individual hours.
2. The Observatory will make an effort to issue the AMBER signal a couple of hours
ahead of anticipated heavy rain. However, this lead time may be considerably shorter
in case the heavy rain develops rapidly. Not all AMBER signals will be followed by
RED.
3. The Observatory will endeavour to issue the RED and BLACK signals before the
specified rainfall levels are reached. However, local severe rainstorms are extremely
difficult to forecast. The lead time will generally be very short. There will even be
situations in which a RED signal is issued without a preceding AMBER. Similarly, a
BLACK may be issued without a preceding RED.
Page 43
Annex B
Appendix A

Sample Rainstorm Warning Signal Messages
Issuance of Amber/Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal Message
Amber/Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal has been issued at a.m./p.m.
Cancellation of Amber/Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal Message
Amber/Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal was cancelled at a.m./p.m.
Please continue to exercise due care, especially whilst travelling or if working outside.
Replacement of the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal by Amber/Red Rainstorm

Warning Signal Message
The Amber/Red Rainstorm Warning Signal has been issued to replace the Black Rainstorm
Warning Signal at a.m./p.m.
Replacement of the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal by Amber Rainstorm Warning

Signal Message
The Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal has been issued to replace the Red Rainstorm Warning
Signal at a.m./p.m.
Page 44
Annex B
Appendix B

Sample Special Announcements
Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal Special Announcement
The Rainstorm Warning Signal is now Amber. This means that heavy rain has fallen or is
expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour.
There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. People who are likely to be
affected should take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risk posed by the heavy
rain and flooding.
* Members of the public are advised to pay attention to weather changes as these might lead
to Red or Black warning signal situations. Those who have definite duties during
rainstorms should be prepared.
* According to present indications, the Hong Kong Observatory may issue the Red
Rainstorm Warning Signal later. Those who have definite duties during rainstorms
should be prepared.
* According to present indications, it is not likely that the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal
will be issued.
(The following sentence should be used when the Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued to replace the Red or
Black signal.)
* Please continue to exercise due care. People who have to travel should carefully consider
weather and road conditions and take necessary precautions.
Please listen to radio or watch television for traffic conditions and further announcements on
the rainstorm.
Red Rainstorm Warning Signal Special Announcement
The Rainstorm Warning Signal is now Red. This means that heavy rain has fallen or is
expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour, and is likely
to continue.
Further heavy rain could cause, if not already caused, serious road flooding and traffic
congestion and could disrupt normal school hours. Parents, students, school authorities and
school-bus drivers should listen to radio or television announcements on schools. People who
have to travel should carefully consider the weather and road conditions and take necessary
precautions.
Page 45
* Meanwhile, those with duties to perform during rainstorms should now go to their duty
stations.
* According to present / latest / indications, the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is expected
to last for hours. / until a.m. / p.m. / today / tomorrow.
* According to present / latest / indications, the Hong Kong Observatory will consider
cancelling the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal in hours. / at a.m./p.m.
today/tomorrow.
(The following two sentences should be used when the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued to replace the Black
signal.)
* The Observatory reminds members of the public to continue to exercise due care against
the danger posed by the heavy rain.
* People who are likely to be affected by heavy rain and flooding should take necessary
precautions to avoid losses.
the rainstorm.
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal Special Announcement
The Rainstorm Warning Signal is now Black. This means that heavy rain has fallen or is
expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour, and is likely
to continue.
Because of seriously flooded roads and inclement weather conditions, you are advised to take
shelter in a safe place and stay there. Parents, students, school authorities and school-bus
drivers should listen to radio or television announcements on schools. Do not attempt to travel
until the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is no longer in force and traffic conditions have
improved.
* According to present / latest / indications, the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is

expected to last for _____ hours. / until _____ a.m. / p.m. / today / tomorrow.
* According to present / latest /indications, the Observatory will consider issuing the
Amber / Red Rainstorm Warning Signal to replace the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal
in ____ hours. / at _____ a.m. / p.m. / today / tomorrow.
* According to present / latest / indications, the Observatory will consider cancelling the
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal in _____ hours. / at ____ a.m. / p.m. / today / tomorrow.
the rainstorm.
Page 46
Annex C
Thunderstorm, Rainstorm, Flood and Landslip Warning Services in Hong Kong
INTRODUCTION
In 1966, three rainstorms resulted in the loss of 86 lives and in June 1972, 148 people
died in landslips caused by heavy rain. To minimise the loss of life and damage to property due
to these natural disasters, the Hong Kong Observatory started issuing thunderstorm and heavy
rain warnings in 1967. In 1983, the warning system was re-organised to provide for separate
warnings of thunderstorms, floods and landslips. Rainstorm warnings were introduced in
1992. The system was revised in 1998, and the Observatory now provides warnings of
thunderstorms, rainstorms and landslips in Hong Kong, and issues special announcements
regarding flooding in the northern New Territories.
There is no lack of calamities in recent years. Torrential rain in July 1994 caused the
collapse of a retaining wall at the Kwun Lung Lau Estate building in Kennedy Town, killing
five people and necessitating the evacuation of two thousand families. In August 1995, heavy
rain following the passage of Severe Tropical Storm Helen brought widespread landslips,
killing three persons in Hong Kong Island.
THUNDERSTORMS
Thunderstorms, which may or may not be accompanied by heavy rain, are localised
phenomena. It is possible for intense thunderstorms to pass very close without any effect and
thunderstorms that appear to be approaching often die out before they arrive. Also, a
thunderstorm affecting one part of Hong Kong may not affect other parts.
Lightning can damage electrical installations, start fires and cause death by
electrocution. Violent gusts often occur in squall lines associated with thunderstorms. Boats
are known to have capsized in squalls. Windshear associated with squall lines is also a
potential hazard to aircraft during landing and take-off.
Under certain favourable conditions, thunderstorms may give rise to intense columnar
vortices in the shape of funnel clouds reaching the ground or the sea. These vortices are known
as tornadoes or waterspouts depending on their occurrences over land or sea respectively.
They have very strong winds and a very low central air pressure. When a tornado passes
directly overhead the wind and pressure effects result in great forces which could shatter weak
structures. Five tornadoes are known to have occurred in Hong Kong. Waterspouts are rather
more common and were reported in local waters on 20 days during the period 1961-1997.
There have been reports of waterspouts capsizing small boats in nearby waters and damaging
coastal facilities in Hong Kong as they made landfall.
Hail sometimes forms in well-developed thunderstorm clouds. Hailstones are hard

pellets of ice which are usually a few millimetres in diameter. Larger hailstones have alternate
rings of clear ice and frost. Large hailstones can damage crops, particular young fruits and
vegetables, and can break windows, glass houses and car windscreens. During the period
1961-1997 there were 28 days in which hail was reported in Hong Kong.
Page 47
HEAVY RAIN
Although heavy rain is not uncommon at any time of the year in Hong Kong, it occurs
most often during the summer months. Indeed, close to 80 per cent of the annual rainfall
occurs between May and September. The highest ever hourly rainfall recorded at the Hong
Kong Observatory is 115.1 millimetres which occurred during the rainstorm on 16 July 2006.
Rainstorms often bring about serious road flooding and traffic disruptions.
Flooding occurs when the rainfall rate is so large that natural or artificial drainage is
insufficient to drain away the fast accumulating water on the ground. Floods are usually fairly
transient in the urban area but may last up to a few hours in those rural areas with large
catchment and gentle slopes, such as the plains in the northern New Territories.
Hong Kong is mostly of hilly terrain. During heavy and prolonged rain, man-made and
natural slopes may fail and therefore pose considerable threat to people living or in the vicinity
of these slopes.
Due considerations are given to both the rain intensity and duration when landslip
warnings, rainstorms warning signals and special announcements on flooding are issued.
METEOROLOGICAL WATCH
In order to issue timely warnings to the public, the weather forecaster in the
Observatory’s Central Forecasting Office keeps a continuous watch on the weather. Besides
weather reports from manned stations and automatic weather stations in Hong Kong and
nearby areas, the forecaster is aided by satellite cloud pictures, weather radar images, upper-air
information from wind profilers, raingauge readings, and information on lightning locations.
THE WARNINGS
Warnings of thunderstorm, rainstorm and landslip supplement routine weather

forecasts by drawing attention to the severe weather. Special announcements of flooding alert
people in the northern New Territories to floods caused by heavy rain in the area. The
warnings and announcements are intended to prompt the public to take precautionary measures
and to assist engineers, contractors and others who are likely to suffer losses due to the natural
disasters. They also alert the relevant government departments and organisations to take
appropriate actions, such as opening of temporary shelters, search and rescue operations,
closure of individual schools and relief work. They are issued irrespective of whether tropical
cyclone signals are displayed.
Like all forecasts, the warnings and announcements represent the forecaster’s
assessment of the most likely development in the weather based on the latest information
available at the time. There will unavoidably be false alarms as well as occasions when
thunderstorms or heavy rain develop suddenly and affect some parts of Hong Kong before a
warning or announcement could be issued.
Once issued, the warnings and announcements are sent to the Information Services
Department for dissemination to government departments and organisations concerned, and to
radio and television stations for immediate broadcast. They are also issued to information
service providers for dissemination to those who subscribe to their special alerting services.
Page 48
Thunderstorm warning
The thunderstorm warning is intended to give short-term notice (within one to a few
hours) of the likelihood of thunderstorms affecting any part of Hong Kong. It is issued
irrespective of whether they are widespread or isolated. The warning will be renewed if
thunderstorms are expected to persist beyond the time stated in the original warning or
cancelled if thunderstorms are not expected to occur in the remaining part of the original
validity period.
Rainstorm warning signals
When the Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued, it gives alert about potential
heavy rain that may develop into Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal situations. There
will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. The Red signal means that heavy
rain could cause serious road flooding and traffic congestion, and may affect schools and
public examinations. The Black signal means that there are major disruptions and inclement
weather. The public will be given clear advice on the appropriate actions to take.
Special announcement on flooding in northern New Territories
A special announcement of flooding due to heavy rain in the northern New Territories
will be issued by the Observatory whenever significant flooding is expected to occur or is
already occurring in the low-lying plains of northern New Territories. This announcement is
broadcast by radio and television to the public, and will be updated at appropriate intervals
until heavy rain ceases.
Landslip warning
A warning of landslips will be issued by the Observatory in consultation with the

Geotechnical Engineering Office whenever landslips are considered to be likely as a result of
heavy rain which has occurred and is expected to continue in the next few hours. A Landslip
Special Announcement is broadcast by radio and television stations to the public. The
announcement is updated at appropriate intervals until the likelihood of landslips diminishes.
Page 49
Monthly Normals of Rainfall Parameters and Thunderstorm Activity

at the Hong Kong Observatory for the 30 years 1971-2000
and Extreme Values for 1884-1939 & 1947-2005
Rainfall Parameters Thunderstorm Activity
Number of Hourly Observations with

Maximum hourly
No. of Days with

measurable rain+
No. of days with
No. of days with

Maximum daily
rainfall Amounts
thunderstorm
Duration*
lightning
Month
Total
≧10mm
≧20mm
≧30mm
≧40mm
≧50mm
mm mm mm h
Jan 24.9 99.8 21.8 43 5.6 0.07 0.03 - - - 0.13 0.1
Feb 52.3 86.1 31.9 76 9.5 0.40 0.07 0.03 - - 1 0.97
Mar 71.4 130 52.5 91 10.5 1.30 0.47 0.17 0.07 0.03 1.77 1.63
April 188.5 190.2 92.4 87 11.7 4.57 1.83 0.77 0.37 0.13 4.77 4.2
May 329.5 520.6 109.9 101 15.5 8.93 3.83 1.60 0.57 0.30 6.67 5.27
June 388.1 411.3 108.2 95 18.8 9.57 3.37 1.80 0.83 0.40 7.7 5.6
July 374.4 534.1 100.7 80 17.8 10.17 3.03 1.00 0.43 0.23 8.47 5.9
Aug 444.6 334.2 82.1 87 17.4 11.63 3.87 1.83 0.93 0.37 11 8.1
Sept 287.5 325.5 84 68 14.8 7.70 2.63 0.90 0.37 0.13 6.93 4.3
Oct 151.9 292.2 71.6 50 8.1 3.77 1.13 0.60 0.27 0.13 1.13 0.8
Nov 35.1 149.2 44.2 36 5.7 0.20 0.03 - - - 0.23 0.23
Dec 34.5 177.3 51.7 36 4.3 0.33 0.13 - - - - -
Year 2382.7 534.1 109.9 850 139.5 58.64 20.42 8.70 3.84 1.72 49.8 37.1
* Includes rainfall < 0.05 mm
+ Excludes daily rainfall <= 0.05 mm
Page 50
Annex C
Appendix A
Landslip Special Announcement (Sample)
Issuance For all Broadcasting Stations – Attention : Duty Announcer
When first
issuing * Please broadcast the following announcement as soon as possible and thereafter.
Landslip It is desirable to broadcast at 15-minute intervals during the first hour if programme
Warning commitments allow.
When * Please broadcast the following as soon as possible.

updating
Landslip Special Announcement issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at

______________ a.m./p.m. on _______________________:
The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Landslip Warning. Keep away from
steep slopes or retaining walls.
Motorists should avoid driving in hilly areas or on roads with landslip warning signs.
Cancel non-essential appointments, stay at home or remain in a safe shelter.
If you see signs of landslip danger, keep away from the area and report to the Police.
Temporary shelters provided by District Offices are now open. If you receive a
notice to evacuate because of landslip danger, or believe that your home is
endangered, you should make immediate arrangements to move to a safe shelter.
Cancellation For all Broadcasting Stations – Attention : Duty Announcer
* Please cease all Landslip Special Announcement.

WLSA - 14 October 2004 MINDS Operator Date / time of dispatch
* Delete as appropriate __________ H ____ ___________ _______
Page 51
Annex C
Appendix B
Special Announcement on Flooding in the Northern New Territories

(Sample)
For all Broadcasting Stations - Attention: Duty Announcer
Please broadcast the following announcement as soon as possible and thereafter. It is

desirable, programme commitments allowing, to broadcast at 15-minute intervals
during the first hour.
Issuance Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories issued by the
*
Hong Kong Observatory at _______ a.m. / p.m. on ________________.
(WFNTSA)
* Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories updated by the

Update
Hong Kong Observatory at ______ a.m. / p.m. on _______________.
(WFNTSA)
Heavy rain is affecting the northern part of the New Territories, especially in Yuen
Long / Pat Heung and Kam Tin /
San Tin and Ngau Tam Mei / Sheung Shui / Ta Kwu Ling /
Sha Tau Kok / area(s). More than __________________ millimetres of rainfall
have been recorded there in the past few / _________________________________
hours. Residents in northern New Territories, who are likely to be affected, are
advised to take necessary precautions to avoid possible flood damage. They should
also pay attention to the flood sirens if they are nearby.
Cancellation Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories cancelled by the
* Hong Kong Observatory at ____ a.m./p.m. on _________________.
(WFNTSAC)
WFNTSA - 1 March 2006 Originator Date / time of dispatch

WFNTSAC
Use Warning Distribution List G. _________H ____ _________ _______
Page 52
Annex C
Appendix C
Thunderstorm Warning Announcement (Sample)

*ISSUANCE
Thunderstorm Warning was issued at ____a.m./p.m.* on ___________ . It will be valid until ____:00/ 15/ 30/ 45 *
a.m./p.m. today/tomorrow*. One or two / A few / Frequent / isolated / Scattered /Occasional/ squally *
thunderstorms are expected to occur over Hong Kong / Kowloon, / Hong Kong Island, / Lantau, / New Territories, /
New Territories West, / New Territories East,* / ________ .
*UPDATE
The Thunderstorm Warning issued at ____a.m./ p.m.* on ________ will remain in force until ____:00/ 15/ 30/ 45*
a.m./p.m.* today/ tomorrow* . One or two / A few / Frequent / isolated / Scattered / Occasional/ squally *
New Territories West, / New Territories East,*/__________.
*EXTENSION
The Thunderstorm Warning issued at ___a.m./ p.m.* on _________ has been extended until ____:00/ 15/ 30/ 45*
a.m./pm* today/ tomorrow* . One or two / A few / Frequent / isolated / Scattered / Occasional/ squally *
New Territories West, / New Territories East,*/__________.
#
Gusts exceeding _____ kilometres per hour were recorded at / in*_________________ at around
_________a.m./p.m. *.
#
Gusts reaching _______ kilometres per hour or above may affect / may continue to affect* Hong Kong / Kowloon,
/ Hong Kong Island, / Lantau, / New Territories, / New Territories West, / New Territories East,* /
__________________________________________.
#
Hail was reported at / in*__________________ at around ___:30* a.m./p.m. *.
#i
Tornado / Waterspout was reported at / in*_______________________________ at around ___:30* a.m./p.m. *.
#
Members of the public are advised to take the following precautions when thunderstorms occur:
#
1. Stay indoors. Seek shelter in buildings if you are engaging in outdoor activities.
#
2. Do not stand on high grounds. Keep away from highly conductive objects, trees or masts.
# ii
3. Take precautions against violent gusts. Beware of flying debris and falling objects.
# ii
4. Drivers using highways and flyovers should reduce speed and be alert to violent gusts.
# iii
5 . Evacuate from heavy rain affected low-lying areas with poor drainage to avoid flooding.
* CANCELLATION
Thunderstorm Warning was cancelled at ______ a.m./ p.m.* on ___________________.
i. Seek Duty SSO’s comment when issue.
ii. Consider to use only when gusts of more than 19.5 m/s (70 km/h) have been recorded or are expected to occur
at stations not on high grounds.
iii. Consider to use when localized heavy rain is affecting low-lying regions where more than 50 mm of rainfall has
been recorded in an hour, heavy rain is expected to continue and no rainstorm warning is triggered.
WTS – 18 Jul 2005 Originator Date / time of dispatch

*Delete as appropriate
#
Optional, delete if not appropriate ______________H _________ _________________
Use Warning Distribution List F.
Page 53
Annex C
Appendix D
Water Discharge from Shenzhen Reservoir Announcement
Hong Kong has been informed by the Shenzhen Authority that water would be
discharged from the Shenzhen Reservoir from about am/pm today ( ).
There may be a risk of flooding in the northern parts of the New Territories.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions to avoid possible flood damage. They
should also pay attention to the flood siren if they are nearby. Various government
departments, including District Offices (North) and (Yuen Long), Drainage Services, Police,
Fire Services, Water Supplies, Hong Kong Observatory and Social Welfare have been
informed in order that they can take any necessary measures.
The District Offices (North) and (Yuen Long) are making arrangements to
inform local residents of the appropriate actions to take.
End/
Page 54
Annex D
Tsunami Warning Service in Hong Kong
BASICS OF TSUNAMI
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by an undersea earthquake, or much less

frequently by an undersea volcanic eruption or an undersea landslide. Most tsunamis occur in
the Pacific Ocean which covers more than one-third of the earth’s surface and is surrounded by
a series of volcanoes, deep-ocean trenches and island arcs where most earthquakes occur. This
circum-Pacific seismic belt is the boundary of major tectonic plates and is also called the “ring
of fire” for its high seismicity. Hong Kong is located more than 600 kilometres from this belt.
Between 1901 and 2000, about 1000 tsunami events were observed or recorded
worldwide. Among these events, around 140 tsunamis brought about casualties or damage,
most of them were local or regional tsunamis that affected areas within a few hundred
kilometres or up to a thousand kilometres of the source respectively. On average about once in
fifteen years, a great earthquake generates a tsunami that sweeps across the entire Pacific and
causes destruction at distant coasts. For example, the magnitude 9.5 Chilean earthquake in
1960 brought about significant loss of life and property in Hawaii and Japan. The magnitude
9.0 earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra on 26 December 2004 also caused great
damage around the Indian Ocean, as far as the east African coast.
Tsunami waves are long water waves with wavelengths in the order of hundreds of
kilometres. In deep waters of the open sea, a tsunami travels as fast as a commercial jet plane,
has small amplitudes, and is often not felt by people on vessels. When a tsunami approaches
the coast, it slows down with the decrease of water depth to speeds similar to those of a car
moving on the road. The tsunami then shoals up and becomes dangerous. The height that a
tsunami reaches at a specific location depends, besides the magnitude and fault mechanism of
the earthquake, also on the shapes of the sea floor and the shoreline, and on the direction of
propagation and other characteristics of the tsunami. The run-up height of a tsunami, i.e. the
height that the sea reaches up the shore, further depends on the slope and other characteristics
of the land surface. It is generally highest at beaches and shallow bays facing the approaching
tsunami.
RISK OF TSUNAMI IN HONG KONG
The chance of Hong Kong being affected by a significant tsunami (i.e. one with a
tsunami height of 0.5 metre or higher) is very small. Since automatic tide gauges were installed
in Hong Kong in the early 1950s, only four measurable tsunamis were recorded, all not
significant. This is notably due to the sheltering effect of the land masses of Taiwan and the
Philippines against tsunamis originated in the Pacific.
Similar to storm surges caused by approaching tropical cyclones, significant

tsunamis may bring about inundation of low-lying coastal areas. Because of historical concern
about storm surges, Hong Kong is already well prepared against tsunamis. Coastal designs of
built-up areas in Hong Kong and general land use have catered for storm surges. This offers
protection against tsunamis of considerable height (more than two times the highest tsunami
recorded in Hong Kong since the early 1950s). For example, the land around Victoria Harbour
is at least 2.5 metres above the mean sea level, and 1 metre above the highest astronomical
Page 55
tides. Built-up areas around the Tolo Harbour are another metre higher than those around the
Victoria Harbour.
TSUNAMI PREDICTION
While larger earthquakes in general generate bigger tsunamis, there is no one-to-one

correspondence because the size of a tsunami also depends on how the sea floor is displaced by
the earthquake so that the magnitude of the earthquake is not the only factor. More elaborate
methods of seismic analysis have emerged in recent years for inferring the mechanism and
scale of earth crust rupture associated with an undersea earthquake. But some necessary details
are still difficult to determine for an accurate estimation of the size of the resulting tsunami,
particularly in the early stage of seismic analysis.
At a few places in the world where there is abundance of past tsunami data, the
height of the tsunami at any specific point can be estimated from the location, magnitude and
other characteristics of the earthquake using analogies from historical tsunami events. This is
however not applicable to places which has not experienced major tsunamis in the past, like
Hong Kong. The absence of historical data also makes calibration of numerical tsunami
models a problem.
While earthquake detection and seismic analysis do enable early warnings of

tsunamis to be made, it carries an inherent degree of uncertainty and the false alarm rate could
be rather high. It should be noted that tsunami height forecast is still not practicable in most
countries because of the above limitations.
TSUNAMAI WATCH AND WARNING
After an earthquake is detected by its seismograph network, HKO would transmit the
arrival time of seismic waves to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Hawaii and
the Northwest Pacific Tsunami Advisory Center (NWPTAC) in Japan. PTWC and NWPTAC
will make use of seismic data collected from seismographs all over the world to determine the
location, depth and magnitude of the earthquake and assess the likelihood of a tsunami. PTWC
and NWPTAC would send tsunami messages to organisations participating in the Pacific
Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, including HKO, on details of any tsunami forecast
including the estimated time of tsunami arrival and locations affected. HKO will assess on the
basis of tsunami messages from PTWC and NWPTAC whether the tsunami would reach Hong
Kong, and if so, the estimated time of arrival and whether it would be significant in Hong
Kong. HKO will issue tsunami warnings to the public if a significant tsunami is expected to
arrive in Hong Kong within 3 hours.
HKO also provides real-time sea level data from its tide gauges to PTWC and
NWPTAC for tsunami monitoring. PTWC and NWPTAC make use of sea level data from
coastal tide gauges and ocean-bottom mounted sea level sensors, updated seismic analysis, and
other data to update their tsunami messages.
For a severe earthquake which occurs in the South China Sea close to Hong Kong,
HKO will issue a warning as soon as practicable even before receiving any tsunami message
from PTWC or NWPTAC. In such cases, an assessment on the possibility of a significant
tsunami in Hong Kong will be made based on the intensity of the locally felt tremor and the
location of the earthquake as determined by HKO's own seismograph network.
Page 56
Annex D
Appendix A
Tsunami Warning
1. The following information will be given in a Tsunami Warning:
(a) Time of occurrence, location and magnitude of the earthquake that

generates the tsunami.
(b) The estimated time of arrival of the tsunami at Hong Kong.
(c) An advice for members of the public to take precautions.
*(d) The predicted normal tides of the day in Hong Kong.
*(e) Tsunami heights recorded at other places around the Pacific.
(f) Precautionary announcements (see Appendix B to Annex D).
Items marked with an asterisk are optional depending on availability of information and
relevance for a particular event.
Page 57
Annex D
Appendix B
Precautionary Announcements to Accompany a Tsunami Warning
(a) Stay away from shores, beaches and low-lying coastal areas. If you are there,
move inland or to higher grounds. The upper floors of high, multi-storey,
reinforced concrete building can provide safe refuge if there is no time to
quickly move inland or to higher grounds.
*(b) Do not engage in water sports.
*(c) Vessels should stay away from the shore or shallow waters. If vessels remain
moored in typhoon shelters, their moorings should be doubled and all
personnel should leave the vessels and head for higher grounds.
(d) Please observe these precautions until the Observatory issues the final tsunami
warning bulletin for this event.
(e) Please stay tuned to the radio or television for further information.
Items marked with an asterisk are optional depending on relevance for a particular event.
Page 58
Annex D
Appendix C
Tsunami Information Bulletin
1. The following information will be given in a Tsunami Information Bulletin:
(a) Time of occurrence, location and magnitude of the earthquake that

generates the tsunami.
(b) A statement to the effect that a tsunami has been or might be generated, and
its estimated time of arrival at Hong Kong. If the tsunami height at Hong
Kong is expected to be below 0.5 metre, this will be mentioned.
*(c) The predicted normal tides of the day in Hong Kong.
*(d) Tsunami heights recorded at other places around the Pacific.
Items marked with an asterisk are optional depending on availability of information and
relevance for a particular event.
Page 59
Annex E
E1
Alerting System
To be informed by Through Page
Hong Kong Observatory Telephone and Fax E2
Hong Kong Observatory Fax E2
Information Services Department Telephone and Fax E3
Information Services Department Government News E4

Information System
Security Bureau Duty Officer or Emergency Telephone E5

Monitoring & Support Centre if activated
Police Headquarters Command Police Internal E5

and Control Centre Communications System
Fire Services Communication Centre Telephone and Fax E5
Transport Department Telephone and Fax E6
Marine Department Telephone and Fax E7
Civil Aviation Department Radio Broadcasts E7
Airport Authority Hong Kong Electronic media E7
PCCW-HKT Telephone E8
Page 60
Annex E
E2
To be informed by HKO through Telephone and Fax
Government Bureaux/Departments/Offices
Education Bureau
Fire Services Communication Centre
Office of the Telecommunications Authority
Police Headquarters Command and Control Centre
Security Bureau Duty Officer (or EMSC if activated)
Communications
PCCW-HKT
To be informed by HKO through Fax
Civil Engineering and Development Department
Drainage Services Department
Government Flying Service
HKO Airport Meteorological Office
Marine Department (Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre)
Media
ATV
Cable TV
Commercial Radio
Metro Radio
TVB
Page 61
Annex E
E3
To be informed by ISD through Telephone and Fax
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Airport Authority Hong Kong
Architectural Services Department
Civil Aviation Department
Civil Engineering and Development Department
Department of Health
Drainage Services Department
Development Bureau
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Government Property Agency
Highways Department
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
Housing Department
Judiciary
Labour Department
Lands Department
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Office of the Telecommunications Authority
Police Public Relations Branch
Security Bureau
Social Welfare Department
Media
ATV
Cable TV
Commercial Radio
Metro Radio
TVB
Page 62
Annex E
E4
To be informed by HKO through

ISD Government News Information System
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Correctional Services Department
Customs and Excise Department
Department of Health
Department of Justice
Education Bureau
Development Bureau
Environmental Protection Department
Government Secretariat Press Offices
Hospital Authority
Housing Department
Innovation and Technology Commission
Judiciary
Labour Department
Marine Department
Social Welfare Department
Trade and Industry Department
Media
ATV
Cable TV
Commercial Radio
Metro Radio
Major newspapers and news agencies
TVB
Page 63
Annex E
E5
To be informed by SBDO
(or EMSC if activated) through Telephone
Chief Executive’s Office

Chief Secretary for Administration
Secretary for Security
EMSC
To be informed by PHQCCC through

its Internal Communications System
Police Regional Command and Control Centre Hong Kong
Police Regional Command and Control Centre Kowloon
Police Regional Command and Control Centre New Territories
Police Regional Command and Control Centre Marine
Police Traffic Branch
To be informed by FSCC through Telephone and Fax
Auxiliary Medical Service
Civil Aid Service
Page 64
Annex E
E6
To be informed by TD through Telephone and Fax

Mass Transit Systems
Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (East Rail including MOS Rail)
Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (Light Rail)
Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (West Rail)
MTR Corporation Ltd
Bus Services
City Bus Co Ltd
Discovery Bay Transit Services Ltd
Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd
Long Win Bus Co Ltd
New Hong Kong Bus Co Ltd
New Lantau Bus Co Ltd
New World First Bus Services Ltd
Park Island Transport Co Ltd
Ferry Services
Discovery Bay Transportation Services Ltd
Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd
Park Island Transport Co Ltd
Star Ferry Co Ltd
Tramway Services
Hong Kong Tramways Co Ltd
Peak Tramways Co Ltd
Tunnels and Suspension Bridges

Aberdeen Tunnel
Kai Tak Tunnel
Cross Harbour Tunnel
Discovery Bay Tunnel
Eastern Harbour Corssing
Lion Rock Tunnel
Shing Mun Tunnels
Tai Lam Tunnel
Tate's Cairn Tunnel
Tseung Kwan O Tunnel
Tsing Ma Control Area (Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Ma Bridge and Ting Kau Bridge)
Western Harbour Crossing
Others
Hong Kong School of Motoring Ltd
Public Omnibus Operators Association Ltd
Page 65
Annex E
E7
To be informed by MD through Telephone and Fax
Hong Kong/Macau and Hong Kong/Mainland Ferry Vessel Services

Companies Operating Ferry and Other Vessel Services between Hong Kong and China/Macau
and Hong Kong/Mainalnd
Freight Terminals and Dockyards

Asia Container Terminal Co Ltd
COSCO - HIT Terminals (HK) Ltd
CSX World Terminals Hong Kong Ltd
Hong Kong International Terminal Ltd
Hong Kong Pilots Association Ltd
Hong Kong United Dockyards Ltd
Kowloon Wharf Terminal & Warehouse Ltd
Modern Terminals Ltd
River Trade Terminal Co Ltd
To be informed by AAHK through Electronic Media

Airport Operations
All Airline Companies
Air Cargo Operators
To be informed by CAD through Radio Broadcasts

Aircraft Services
Aircraft operating in the Hong Kong Flight Information Region
Page 66
Annex E
E8
To be informed by PCCW-HKT through Telephone
Buildings Department
Civil Aviation Department
Commerce and Economic Development Bureau
Correctional Services Department
Customs & Excise Department
Education Bureau
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Development Bureau
Environmental Protection Department
Executive Council Secretariat
Fire Services Department
Government Logistics Department
Government Secretariat Departmental Administration Unit
Housing Department
Immigration Department
Independent Commission Against Corruption
Office of the Government Chief Information Officer
Inland Revenue Department
Lands Department
Legislative Council Secretariat
Lion Rock Tunnel
Post Office
Treasury
Vocational Training Council
Water Supplies Department
Hospital Authority
Hospital Authority Headquarters – News Duty Officer
Hospital Authority Headquarters – Data Centre
Hospital Authority Headquarters – One Stop Enquiry Services
HKE Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

Ruttonjee Hospital & Tang Shiu Kin Hospital
St. John Hospital
Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
Page 67
HKW Queen Mary Hospital
KC Queen Elizabeth Hospital
KE United Christian Hospital

Tseung Kwan O Hospital
KW Caritas Medical Centre

Kwong Wah Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital/Kwai Chung Hospital
Yan Chai Hospital
NTE Prince of Wales Hospital

North District Hospital
Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
NTW Castle Peak Hospital

Tuen Mun Hospital
Pok Oi Hospital
Note: The Hospital Authority has subscribed to the PCCW-HKT’s adverse weather warning
services, and is alerted through this means.
Page 68

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Security Bureau Circular No.

Emergency Support Unit

Section Subject Page

List of Annexes and Appendices 2

List Abbreviations 3-4

2 Alerting System and Co-ordination 6

3 Tropical Cyclones 7-8

6 Other Natural Hazards 14 - 15

7 Other General Warnings 16

8 Controlling Authorities 17-21

9 Non-Government Organisations’ Responsibilities 22 - 23

10 Bureaux’s and Departments’ Responsibilities 24 - 31

13 Revision of the Plan 35

List of Annexes and Appendices

A Hong Kong’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals 36

Appendix B - Warning Message - No. 8 Signal issued 38

Appendix C - Warning Message - Precautionary Announcements with 39

B Rainstorm Warning System 40-43

C Thunderstorm, Rainstorm, Flood and Landslip Warning Services in 47-49

Appendix B - Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New 52

Appendix D - Water Discharge from Shenzhen Reservoir 54

D Tsunami Warning Service in Hong Kong 55-56

Appendix B - Precautionary Announcements to Accompany a 58

E1 – E8 Alerting System 60-68

AAHK Airport Authority Hong Kong

HyD Highways Department

2. ALERTING SYSTEM AND CO-ORDINATION

Broadcast of Special Advisory and Warning Messages

3.5 The second Advisory Message (sample at Appendix B to Annex A) will be

4. RAINSTORMS - WARNINGS AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN

4.3 The action to be taken in response to each signal is: -

Status Condition Purpose Action required

4.6 From time to time, special announcements on precautionary measures, weather

4.10 The dissemination of warning messages will be made initially by telephone

5. FLOODING – WARNING AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN

5.2 A Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories will

5.4 When a Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories is

6. OTHER NATURAL HAZARDS

6.3 Thunderstorm Warning - Whenever thunderstorms are expected to affect

7. OTHER GENERAL WARNINGS

Disaster Site - Fire Services, Police,

8.1 Phase I: Rescue

8.1.2 In the event of a disaster, it will be necessary to exercise strict

8.1.3 A disaster site normally consists of 2 zones, namely, the inner

8.1.6 The Rescue Commander will establish a Fire Services Command

8.1.7 Representatives of other emergency services wishing to enter the

8.2 Phase II: Recovery

8.2.1 The objective of this phase is to return the community to a condition

8.2.3 There will normally be an investigative commitment concerning

8.2.4 HAD District Officer will co-ordinate relief measures by Social

8.3 Phase III: Restoration

8.4 Off Site - Departmental District, Regional and Headquarters Co-ordination

8.4.1 These centres should provide support to their on-site staff,

8.5 Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre (EMSC)

8.5.1 EMSC will be activated if a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.

8.5.6 On activation, EMSC will immediately establish links with HKO,

8.5.7 The EMSC Controller on duty will be responsible for -

8.5.7.1 liaising generally with departments mentioned in