XN000022-1976-05-19 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1976

TROPICAL CYCLONE AND HEAVY RAIN PRECAUTIONS

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NOW THAT TROPICAL CYCLONES ARE AGAIN ACTIVE IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND THE CHANCE OF HEAVY RAINSTORMS IS INCREASING THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON BELL, SAID TODAY THAT IT IS TIME NOW TO TAKE SOME PRELIMINARY · PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE READY TO MINIMIZE THE DANGERS AND FINANCIAL LOSSES CAUSED BY HIGH WINDS LANDSLIDES AND FLOODINGS DUE TO TROPICAL CYCLONES AND RAINSTORMS.+

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+COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS,+ HE SAID, IS THE KEYNOTE FOR MINIMIZING THE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE WHICH CAN RESULT FROM THESE STORMS.+

THOSE WHO HAVE' SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES DURING STORMS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND RELEVANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE UP-TO-DATE. GUTTERS AND DRAINS SHOULD BE CLEARED AND CHECKED FOR DAMAGE. BOLTS, LOCKS AND SHUTTERS OF ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED. OWNERS OF SMALL CRAFT SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEIR MOORINGS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.

MR. BELL AGAIN REMINDED CIVIL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THAT SITE WORKS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST DAMAGE FROM HEAVY RAIN.

WARNINGS OF THE APPROACH OF TROPICAL CYCLONES WILL BE GIVEN WELL IN ADVANCE, AS IN RECENT YEARS. HOWEVER, IT IS OFTEN ONLY POSSIBLE TO GIVE A FEW HOURS NOTICE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEAVY RAIN OR THUNDERSTORMS WHICH ARE NOT DUE TO TROPICAL CYCLONES.

SITE ENGINEERS MAY THEREFORE NOW WISH TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO THE CALLING SERVICE OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE WARNINGS OF THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAIN ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

CARDS EXPLAINING THE THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNING SERVICE AND THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

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