Comprehensive Prevention of Railway Safety Incidents

This year, Super Typhoon Saola and the once-in-a-century rainstorm caused severe flooding in many districts in Hong Kong, particularly at Wong Tai Sin MTR Station. In this light, the EMSD proactively urged the operator to formulate preventive measures against extreme weather to ensure that the railway system could withstand the impacts of such conditions.

In terms of infrastructure, we required the MTR Corporation Limited to comprehensively review the flood prevention capabilities of existing stations and install water level sensors at entrances and exits that are at higher risk of flooding. When the water level reaches the warning threshold, the sensors will be triggered to sound an alarm and the station control room concerned will be notified immediately, so that staff can promptly erect flood boards. As at March 2024, a total of 42 entrances and exits that are at higher risks of flooding at 26 MTR stations were equipped with these devices to cope with the threats posed by the rainy season.

In addition, the EMSD enhanced the emergency response procedures of the Peak Tram and trams in response to extreme weather. On 16 July 2024, a cross-departmental drill near Barker Road Peak Tram Station was conducted in collaboration with the Peak Tramways Company Limited and relevant government departments, with a view to making early preparations for major incidents and enhancing the collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments in the event of major incidents.