XN000022-1973-05-08 — Page 6

5.

LANDSLIDE WARNING SYSTEM

Tuesday, May 8, 1973

An "early warning system" is to be set up at various hillside sites

as part of the intensive precautionary measures being taken against landslides

in advance of the rainy season.

The system will involve the use of instruments which will be installed

at various levels in the hillsides to gauge the water pressure and to detect

any earth movement in the slopes.

One is the piezometer, a bulb-shaped instrument buried within the

ground and which makes a reading on a meter whenever pressure is exerted on

the sides of the bulb.

indicator,

A much more sophisticated instrument is the inclinometer, or alope-

This is a tube-like electronic device sunk at various levels within

the ground. The tube is mounted on runners on all its four sides and any

movement in any direction will be detected and recorded by a small computer.

The depth and angle of movement of the tube are also recorded to give

comprehensive information on soil movement.

Periodic readings of these instruments will be taken and will presage

any precautionary action to be taken.

Drilling works for the placement of these instruments are well advanced

at sites in Sau Mau Ping and Ching. Cheung Road and it is hoped that they can

be put into position later this week or sometime next week.

At the Po Shan Road site, it is expected that some 50 piezometers and

at least 10 inclinometers will be installed.

/On Thursday, ...................