XN000022-1976-09-18 — Page 2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1976

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES

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TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE REASSURED TODAY THAT WITH THE PRESENCE OF TYPHOON IRIS IN THE VICINITY OF HONG KONG THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ANY ALARM.

FOLLOWING THE LANDSLIDE AT SAU MAU PING, A STUDY WAS IMMEDIATELY CARRIED OUT TO IDENTIFY SLOPES AT WHICH PRECAUTIONS MIGHT HAVE TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAIN.

THIS STUDY WAS AN URGENT PRELIMINARY MEASURE PENDING THE REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED BY LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS.

AS A RESULT OF THIS STUDY, CONTINGENCY PLANS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP IN CASE ANY EVACUATION PROVES NECESSARY BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAINFALL FROM THE FOLLOWING EIGHT BLOCKS IN SIX DIFFERENT HOUSING ESTATES WHICH HAVE SUCH SLOPES IN THEIR VICINITY :

SAU MAU PING

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BLOCK 9 (GROUND FLOOR ONLY

BLOCK 15 (GROUND FLOOR ONLY

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STILL VACANT)

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PARTLY OCCUPIED)

SHEK KIP MEI BLOCK 29 (PART OF GROUND FLOOR)

SAI WAN - SOUTH TERRACE (PART OF GROUND FLOOR)

WEST TERRACE (PART OF GROUND FLOOR)

SO UK - PEONY HOUSE (ROAD-LEVEL FLOOR AT REAR)

LEI MUK SHUE

BLOCK 7 (FIVE G/F FLATS ONLY)

TAI WO HAU - BLOCK 9 (FOUR G/F SHOPS ONLY)

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT POSSIBLY BE EVACUATED FROM THESE BLOCKS WOULD BE ONLY A FEW HUNDRED.

A HOUSING DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: THIS AFTERNOON STAFF OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE CALLING ON PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE TO BE EVACUATED TO EXPLAIN PERSONALLY TO THEM THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE.

+ THE TENANTS ARE BEING TOLD THAT THIS STEP IS BEING TAKEN PURELY ON PRECAUTIONARY GROUNDS AND THAT THE RISK OF A LANDSLIDE AFFECTING THEIR PREMISES IS MINIMAL, HE SAID.

SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY TO EVACUATE THESE FLOORS, PEOPLE WILL BE MOVED INTO TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION ALREADY EARMARKED, AND TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE SUPPLYING FOOD AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO SAFEGUARD THE PREMISES AND BELONGINGS LEFT BEHIND BY ANYONE WHO HAS TO BE EVACUATED.

THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A COMMUNICATION CENTRE WHICH IS WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH MAY BE INVOLVED.

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