Findings of govt investigation withheld until coroner's hearing

The government has completed its investigation into the flooding that claimed the life of a man and damaged several houses at a village near Tai Po in July, but refused to disclose the findings.

Officials said the report was being withheld on grounds that the coroner may hold a hearing. The coroner has instructed the Police Force on July 26 to carry out an investigation and submit a report within six months.

"At the moment, the administration cannot rule out the possibility of a coroner's inquest. In order not to affect the conduct of a possible death inquest or possible criminal investigation, the report and the review report will not be disclosed to the public at this stage," said Wai Chi-sing, permanent secretary for Development (Works).

Heavy rainstorms caused flooding at Sha Po Tsai Village, which is located at the middle reaches of the Tai Po River, on July 22 this year, washing away the man whose body was discovered in Tolo Harbor the following day. More than a dozen others were stranded for hours and houses were damaged.

Sha Po Tsai villagers are enraged at the brief report which does not indicate who were responsible for the devastating floods. "I do not think that the government is sincere," said a villager.

Ann Chiang Lai-wan, vice-chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, also voiced her disappointment. She, however, urged the public to wait another three months for a detailed version when the police report is ready. Chiang visited the site and assisted villagers in registration for compensations.

"To a certain extent, the government is obliged (to do something), for drainage improvement works for the Tai Po River had commenced in late 2008. Countless tiny rocks, which were created as a result of splits, blocked the river," Chiang said. The project is expected to finish late 2011.

After the incident, a hydraulics expert, Professor Joseph Lee Hun-wei of the University of Hong Kong was assigned to conduct an independent review of the investigation report prepared by the Drainage Services Department.

On recession of the floods, it was observed a substantial amount of sediment had been washed from the upper reaches of the river into the work site and a large amount of sediments, boulders and debris were deposited in the river channel.

The amount of sediments that were lost at the upper stream is around 5,400 cubic meter, which is equivalent to more than standard-sized swimming pool. The net deposition at the work site is 2,200 cubic meter.

Director of Drainage Services Chan Chi-chiu declined to comment on whether or not the construction work caused the floods.

Chan said measures are now in place to prevent such disasters in the future. A temporary footbridge, which is higher than the original one, has been built, he added.

Since the Tai Po River has low capacity, temporary drain pipes have also been installed beside the footbridges to increase the volume of the river.

"Before the next wet seasons, we will push ahead as fast as possible to increase the flow-carrying capacity of the river so that the risk of flooding decreases," Chan added.

Wai said 52 compensation claims had been received but he refused to disclose details.

China Daily

(HK Edition 10/29/2010 page1)