Close watch: Chief Executive Donald Tsang visits areas including Sheung Wan and Western District badly affected by flooding during yesterday's heavy rains.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang has asked the relevant departments to see if any of the flood-prevention works can be speeded up or if there are any temporary measures that can be implemented to alleviate the chance of more flooding.

Mr Tsang today inspected areas including Sheung Wan and Western District badly affected by flooding during yesterday's heavy rains.

"It was fortunate that no one was injured and damage to goods in shops was not too serious. The residents are taking a positive attitude," Mr Tsang said.

"The Government must pay special attention to reduce the risk of recurrence."

Funding sought to build interceptor drain

To solve the flooding problem in Wing Lok Street and Hellier Street, Sheung Wan, the Drainage Services Department will seek funding from the Legislative Council later this year for the laying of a one-kilometre long interceptor drain in Queens Road Central in early 2006.

In early 2007, construction of a stormwater pumping station at Sheung Wan is also scheduled to commence. These two projects together will alleviate the flooding problem of this low-lying area, the department said.

Works are also planned for the construction of a 10-kilometre stormwater drainage tunnel greater than six metres in diameter in the mid-levels starting in mid-2007. It would intercept the stormwater from upper hillsides and divert it to Pokfulam for discharge.

The temporary flood storage pond built under the Ping Yuen River training works has lessened the flooding problem in Ta Kwu Ling area yesterday when compared with previous occasions.

Aiming at tackling the flooding problem in the area, the project is scheduled for completion early next year.

Improvement work set for Kau Lung Hang

To alleviate the flooding problem in Kau Lung Hang, the department yesterday awarded a $167 million contract to improve the drainage capacity of Ma Wat River.

Upon completion of the project in 2008, the flood risks in the area will be greatly reduced.