1926-07-20 — Page 4

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JULY

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-[3740-

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HONGKONG,

[LP]

TYPHOON'S TERRIBLE AFTERMATH.

201a.

RECORD RAINFALL CAUSES HAVOC THROUGHOUT THE COLONY,

BUSINESS CENTRE INUNDATED,

HOUSES WRECKED BY LIGHTNING: PEAK ISOLATED BY LANDSLIDES: SEVERAL CASUALTIES.

ALL FORMS OF TRANSPORT INTERRUPTED.

Hongkong during the past week had been anticipating a drought and the curtailments of the water supply. On Monday morning, after a terrible thunderstorm during the night, the Colony presented a scene of havoc and confusion everywhere. The central business districts, and Kowloon were flooded, in some places by two or three feat of water, and the damage done must have been enormous. The rushing cataracts from the hill-aide cased many landslides. Every road was blocked so that the Peak, for some hours, was absolutely isolated. The Peak Trams were put out of action and the mud and slash and debris, carried on to Queen's Road and Dos Veux Road, prevented the running of the lower level trams.

Aberdeen and Happy Valley were inundated. Residents in the Causeway Bay district were cut off from the City until almost mid-day, the oasiest, if not the only form, of transport being by motor boat. Business, of course, was entirely suspended.

These unprecedented conditions were brought about by approximately eight hours of rainfall. On Saturday a typhoon was heading straight for the Colony It came within one hundred miles and then turned to Swatow. Sunday was dull and overcast, with sharp, squalls of rain in the afternoon. The evening was comparatively fine and it" appeared that all danger from the typhoon had passed. The night, however, proved one of terror. A terrific thunderstorm broke between one and two a'clock in the morning, brought about, according to the official statement; by the typhoon entering the coast.6i China"and. "filling up. The vivid flashes of lighting were terrifying and they were accompanied by awful peals of thunder which seemed to come from a few yards overhead. The rain came down in sheets and established a record ever for this Colony, accustomed as it is to torrential downpours. Between midnight and 1 o'clock there was 0.01 inch of rain; between one and two 0.035 of an inch and between two and three 0345 of an inch.

At 3.mis commenced to rain in earnest and within the next eight hours there was a record fall of 13.995 inches. The figures for each hour, supplied by the Observatory, were:

3 a.m. to 4 a.m. 1.893 inches,

"༥.”“-

5

to 6

J

$.900

4 to 6 to 7

5 am 3.866 inches,

9.840

,-

to 8

12

9.005

8 to 9

2.240

11

to 10

"

3.200

10 to 11

.1.040

The Pokfulam reservoir which was dry in some parts overnight was overflowing in the morning. As may he imagined scarcely anything could stand the strain of such a downpour. Debris was washed into nullahs and nullabs gave way. Even the huge nullah near the Lower, Peak Tramway Station collapsed...

The rainfall established many records. The previous maximum rain-2 Tall for one hour was between 3 and 4. o'clock in the afternoon of "July --13th, 1886. Then there were 3480 inches of rain. Last night between a.m. and 5 am there were 2.965 inches- The previous maximum rainfall in one civil day was on May 30th, 1889, when there were 20.495 inches. On Monday morning there were nearly 20 inches in eight hours. The next nearest was July 15th, 1898-with-13.480 inches It is only when taking a period of 24 hours that the recent fall has been surpassed. From 11 o'clock on Sunday until 11 o'clock on Monday there were 21.438 inches of rain. For the 24 hours May 20th to May 30th, 1888, there were 27.140 inches. As has been pointed out, however, the rain during Mon- day's storm was practically all concentrated into eight hours and it would therefore probably "be correct to say that over such a period the downpour was twice as heavy as any previously recorded.

It is impossible to give a full and comprehensive account of all the damage done. But reports from various districts are given below:-

EXCELSIOR.

1926

house was struck and the servants' quar- About ten o'clock the Fire Station-re ters at the end of the bungalow were conceived an urgent call for assistance from siderably damaged. The bathroom was this quarter and on proceeding to Pak- also damaged by the partial landslid fulam Road found that the pumping and two living rooms were rendered un- station had been buried under a big land- inhabitable.

alide, taused by the fall of an immense Tantallon on Barker Road, belong. boulder. This boulder, which was about ing to Mr. Archbutt, and at present the size of a tram-car, had fallen a con- occupied by Mr. and Mr. Way, was aiderable distance and crashed through" damaged by a fall at the back. The aer the rear end of the pumping station "and" vant's quarters were demolished and it caused the wall to collapse. In its was believed that a number of servants descent it hurled a number of coolies were in a precarious position imprisoned employed at the station under the debris,

therein.

There was a big fat of earth on the but one unfortunate man was buried main Stubbs Road, near to Mount underneath the boulder itself and could Gough police station, well avor 200 tona

baving collapsed. There was also not be extricated despite all efforts. The other big landslide near Mount Kellett. Fire Brigade succeeded in extricating At the Victoria Hospital, Barker Road, three other dead bodies and also rescued the greater part of the lower tennis four other coolies, who were removed to court was carried away, taking part of hospital. Chatham Path with it.

Magazine Gap Road was badly breach ed, two bridges, near the May Road level, having gone. The damage, was very

serious..

The boulder fell about nine o'clock in the morning, its descent being accom panied by an enormous roar. It charged with considerable impetus into the rear of the engine house of the "pumping station, and trees which were in its way. were obbterated" A szorehouse, where GLENEALY BECOMES A RAVINE.

there was stocked a supply of waterpipes, was crushed like a matchbox, two Terride torrents dowed down lower workmen being killed outright. The Street from Glenealy, which was changed boulder, also crashed through on top into a ravine as the waters-from-the of an Austin Seven car, which was surrounding slopes pressing for sa outlet garaged there and drove it with converged into this defle, and found a considerable force into the ground. way out by the path leading down from The main engine was completely wrecked, the Roman Catholic Cathedral. "'~

whilst two filters in attendance were also In its course the water formed for itaclf a passage underground, and caused an upheaval of the whole length of the pathway. Big blocks of asphalt were torno away, and the path was thoroughly obliterated. Electric poles and wires became an inextricable mass hang ing ever the roadway. Glenealy is known as one of the most beautiful spots in the Colony, but yesterday it was a scene of utter desolation,

led Mr. C. J. Tacchi, the resident- engineer, bad a lucky escape, through being a few minutes behind his usual hour to go into the engine room,

The walls of the pumping station show cracks, but remain intact. The main supply pipes are completely wrecked and the supply of water to the Peak, the mid-levels and the whole of the western lower district is cut off.

The four workmen who were injured, In Flower Street, there were several had a fortunate escape. The roof of the instances of people being carried away storeroom caved in, but the walls re in attempting to traverse it. A child mained. who endeavoured to cross to join her}

mother was carried some distance and LITTLE GIRL BELIEVED DROWNED, eventually rescued by some coolies,& Chinese who-·** came · down with tha

flood" was stopped near the bottom by by the flood a European who smartly hooked him

with his umbrella.

-THE PEAK TRAMWAY,

"NO SERVICE LIKELY YET.

No service is likely yet with regard to the dislocated Peak Tram service. On enquiry yesterday, the Daily Press was informed that the earliest possible dat that a service can be hoped for is next Saturday, and even that is not by any means certain.

A little Chinese girl was swept away in Centre, Street, West Point, 8000 after 9 a.m. She was walk- ang along the pavement and attempted to cross to the other side of the road, but the force of the water was too strong and she was carried off her feet. She was not scon again, and it is believed she was drowned.

Another report, which could not be con- firmed, was that a coolie of the Hong- kong and Kowloon Godown Company was killed through being struck by lightning; while a similar death is reported to hare overtaken an Indian soldier of Whitfold Barracks, Kowloon, who was struck by

The damage done to the track and ser- lightning about 4 a.m. when it was very sice generally is very severe and exten† vivid. sive. The worst damage is at Kennedy There was a partial collapse of a house Road, where tons of earth have fallen at Cross Street, Wanchai, near the No. over the track. A part of the bridge is Police Station, three verandahs being broken, although not carried away, but carried away, and it is stated that three the lines have been carried out of the pedestrians were injured by the fal true alignment: The bridge at present thus it will have to be armly secured is liable to fall at any time, and

TWO BIG WATERSPOUTS before a car can be sent over it again.

Due to the enormous pressure, the Secondly, the Electric Company's cables, water rushing through Pedder Street which supply the current for the running burst the mains, and threw a sheet of of the cars, have been carried away, and it is not known how long it will take doors of the buildings. This huge.

water into the air as high as the first to replace them. Thirdly, there have volume poured down the street for some been several small landslides on other time, and the doors of the Hongkong parts of the track. One fairly big land- Hotel had to be forcibly held to prevent alide occurred near to the function of the water rushing in. As it was, yes... May Road, and a further one near the terday morning the entrance to the curve just below Barker Boad. The hotel bar room, and Cafeteria were track has been broken and there was flooded, with large deposits of thin mad if big tree across the track lower down. This was later cleared. The curious part Two of the nullahs burst their sides oud is that where the water broke through water helped to tear up parts of the the pavement & tree of large dimensions concrete way. Coolies were employed was forced through with it and tore up. yesterday clearing débris but, as stated, a large part of the pavement. it will take several days to put things Later, yesterday morning, another in full working order again,

Persons living on the Peak attempted service continued as usual but Yaumati various ways to come down to town, but i suffered very badly from inundation and the ferry service there was temporarily many of them gave up trying. Owing to the dislocation of the tramway service suspended. the only way was by walkingSeveral got down by Pokfulam, Hatton Road, and later in the afternoon by the Peak Road.

SAILORS AND SOLDIERS,

Arsenal Street).

CLEARING UP.

office they were as neat and dainty as they had come to business in the FINDING A WAY TO TOWN.

dinary, unexciting way. The courage of When the morning "trek" to busi. these ladies was undoubtedly remarkable, ness was begun, the scenes witnessed Several gentlemen were seen in the street, were unprecedented in the history of the booted, but stockingless. Such an

hole was sprung at the junction of Fedder Street and Queen's Road, and Colony. Every roadway was submerged hibition of cheeriness, of humour under THE LOWER LEVEL TRAMWAY. a fountain of water, as high as the first Where one had not to contend with pools adverse circumstances, made all who

floor of China. Building, was flung into of water, and swirling streams rushing were determined, grown-up children; débris on the Tramway track, especially pearance of the waves of the sea during There are still hundreds of tons of the air. The rond, which gives the ap- with the joys that children know in mud. across the roadway one was invariably larking. This experience will be to between Fedder Street and Arsenal a swell, or a road after an earthquake met with long stretches of slimy deeply them, except ton-diagruntled-few, one

Street, but a short-section-was-operated is barely passable for pedestrians. Huden stuah. - Kickahas, chair and motor of the red-letter-days of their lives. yesterday afternoon between. Causeway Water was still rushing down Pedder. Kowloorites came of comparatively Bay and Gresson Street (just East of Street and was being added, to by the cars were chartered, but they got a cer- well. Many of the older 'bases were

torrent from Glenealy and Wyndham. tain way-and met with obstacles which "stuck"-in-Yaumati and other places

On the Shaukiwan Route there has been Street late yesterday evening. could not be overcome. A few vehicle and the service was very limited reader big landslide at Ming Tuen, which all traffic, ing necessary something like a twenty has completely, blocked actually capsized and threw their o minutes' wait at the stopping places for although a restricted service was run Much time will elapse before normal cupants into the flood. **

would-be travellers. The "Star

from Causeway Bay as far as possible. ferry

On the Happy Valley route, the depth Colony. From the earliest bours, the conditions are restored throughout the of sand and débris outside the Cemetery, Police, Fire Brigade, Public Works places. It is, however, hoped to get a others were out in rescue and rehabilita- was very great, being 5 or 6 fest in Department, Sanitary Department and service of cars round to the Dragon tion parties, but the comparatively small Motor Garage vid Broadwood Bead this amber available were faced with a very afternoon and also to open up a portion formidable task, of the Shaukivan Houte between Cause in the afternoon the Fire Brigades Early in the morning the Naval Yard way Bay and North Point. was found to be flooded owing to the Persons from the Valley and Causeway choked drains, and the residential quar Queen's Road, between Wellington Bar-out water from the flooded basemente Hundreds of coolies were employed in hig omces and public buildings pumping pumping appliances were out at various Bay, many of whom travelled up by ters were also affected. Bluejackets in racks and Murray Barracks, yesterday Notably among the places thus attended motor car were forced to return owing large forse were mustered to the scene, afternoon and during the night clearing to were the Pont Office and Queen's to the heap of mud covering the roadway and armed with shovels, picks and axes passes of debris from the tracks Theatre basements, which had several, near Wellington Barracks. Many waded through the lime which was over kuen

they worked with a will to get the water cars by evening were running from teas of water in them to a considerable deep. Others took motor boats from away. Early in the morning, several had Causeway Bay as far as the curve just depth, although it is not thought that Arsenal Street, and a few treked" to to swim across in order to render assist- bevond Wellington Barracks, and it is much damage was done. At the Queen's town by way of

ance. The workshops were all closed and anticipated that by to-day they will get Theatre the film room at the back of the Seven and Six-peasy under food, but by the afternoon, the through as far as the Naval Dockyard stage and three feet of water init Hill" and on to Kennedy Road.,

Persona on the main thoroughfares waters were gradually subsiding and, possibly, if the rate of progress in

Many other firtas and shops employed When it was found that the gardens clearing debris is maintained and there coolies with small band-pumps to empty fared no better. They, too, had to wade at Murray Barracks were almost swept are further landslides on to the track, their basements and ground floors of and trudge from piller to post:

away and piled with stones and débris ara no further landslides on to the track, water. Among these was noticed Ye Olde from the hills, men of the East Surrey the service will reach the Hongkong Printerica, whose works and office are Begiment began immediately to clear Hotel. At any rate the restricted service situated below the ground level, opposite away. the refuse. They tackled their job at present being run will be improved the side of the Queen's Theatre, Thin with commendable vigour and were much and extended to full service within was flooded to a depth of several feet admired for their excellent work. few days, if all goes well Coolies were during the morning, and it was estimated also busy clearing the Happy Valley that damage to the extent of over $20,000 tracks.

was caused to stock, etc. In the after- noon the water was gradually pumped out by means of a hand-pump, but it was particularly interesting to watch the un- The flood was not responsible for so concern of an employee who sat philo Two detectives were seen strolling ported from, the Peak district, where many casualties, as might have been ex-sophically at a desk, busily engaged in down the Prays East, clad only in their hero was slap a forga bathing suits, coats, and hate Severnl slides for men of land yesterday the most serious disaster which bis knees,

land-pected, and from what could be learned his work, while the water came up to

MUD-SOILED CHEERY TRUDGERS. A somewhat remarkable cheerfass of spirit pervaded the trekkers at their way. «Uppermost in their minds was the determination to reach the goal, and but for this resolve the offices 62 the City would have been empty" throughout the day. The ladies were as resolute as the

IN THE PEAK DISTRICT.

VERY SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE..

Extensive damage-and-flooding was re-

PUMPING, STATION DISASTER.

ladies also got over the beds of, luah Mr. Bell's House, in Plantation Rond, ended in fatalities was at the Noa As we go to press the rain is again. and streams of water in this way. They was badly damaged by the fall of the Pumping Station, at Pokfulam, and prace falling heavily, but to all appearance the carried with them satchels which con- tennis court of the Bank House immed- tically adjoining the Hongkong Univer-violence of the thunder, the lightning and tained dry apparel, and once in the fately above. Part of the roof of the laity,

the storm-is not likely to recur