Strengthened ferry services and temporary cable car service were promised yesterday to Lantau Islanders who are reeling from the impact of recent rainstorms.

Huge economic loss was feared after the island was almost completely cut off from the rest of Hong Kong by floods and landslides caused by Saturday's downpour.

Some residents of Tai O left the island to live with relatives in other parts of Hong Kong even though the weather had become stable.

Residents in the affected area expressed frustration to Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing during his visit to the island yesterday.

Tsang said the government has liaised with ferry operators to start their daily services between Tai O and Tung Chung earlier and arrange extra ferry sailings.

Tsang pledged that the government will take care of the basic needs of the residents.

The Civil Aid Service also assisted residents in removing mud from their residences.

Helicopters were also deployed to inspect slopes in the area.

"We need to assess the risk and contemplate measures if there is heavy rain again," Tsang said.

But the residents were still very much frustrated.

A restaurant owner said she had lost HK$100,000 over the past few days.

"No customers and no tourists at all," she said.

Their frustrations intensified when they were informed that normal water supply was further delayed to until midnight from 7pm because water pipes were clogged with mud and debris.

Ngong Ping Village and Po Lin Monastery were also sealed off from the rest of Hong Kong because of blocked roads.

Abbot of the monastery Sik Chi Wai said he had already written to Chief Executive Donald Tsang, asking him to help the 100 monks and residents inside the monastery.

"We still have water and food," he said. "But we want the government to help."

Ngong Ping 360 cable car, whose service was suspended because of cables being damaged by landslides, will provide temporary services for the residents from 10am to 10:30am, and from 4pm to 4:30pm.

Lorman Cheung, who owns a shop adjacent to the cable car terminus selling Chinese accessories, expected a severe loss.

"I think the cable car operator should give us some concessions," he said.

(HK Edition 06/10/2008 page1)