Mr Collier said another area of concern was drainage impact arising from developments.
"Proponent of infrastructural projects are now required to carry out drainage impact assessments whenever there is potential adverse drainage impact" he said.
Mr Collier pointed out that in the past, maintenance of many of the main watercourses passing through private land was also a problem.
"However, the Land Drainage Ordinance enacted in 1994 has provided for a better control of these watercourses.
"To protect the community from the risk of flooding, government's effort alone is not sufficient. The society as a whole needs to act responsibly to avoid blocking the stormwater drainage system so as to minimise the likelihood of flood occurrence," he stressed.
End
SG to visit US
The Solicitor General, Mr Daniel R Fung, QC, will engage in a speaking tour in the United Stated of America next week to reassure influential members of the American Government, Congress and the investing public of the continuation of Hong Kong's legal system post 1997.
During his tour, he will meet officials of State Department, Senators, Congressmen, businessmen, lawyers, members of influential think-tanks, and be giving interviews to both the print and electronic media.
Mr Fung will depart this (Saturday) evening and before his return to Hong Kong on December 13 will have taken up 13 speaking engagements and briefings in New York and Washington.
His programme in New York includes briefing the Business Council for International Understandings, an interview by the Wall Street Journal and a luncheon meeting with the National Committee on US-China Relations and the Hong Kong Association of New York.