Official admits lack of contingency in natural disasters
Secretary for Transport and Public Works admitted that improvements are necessary for contingency in natural disasters in Macau.
Lau Si Io (劉仕堯) said that the severe damage done by Typhoon Hagupit to Macau reflected the incapability of Macau’s infrastructure against flooding.
He also said that there is room for improvement for release of information and public safety arrangements.
He promised to enhance the forecast and contingency mechanism against natural disasters, so that the population can be aware of the severity in advance.
Lau also said that government agencies concerned had begun clearing up right after the warnings were cleared, and had worked hard to have the city restored as soon as possible.
The Government will also sutdy the capability of public transport to channel residents and visitors after the typhoon is over.
Meanwhile, a total of 614 trees were affected under the typhoon, 169 of them had to be chopped down and 232 were straightened.
A total of 1,600 tonnes of rubbish had been collected so far, and expected that the clearing up could be completed by today (26 September).
2,000 households at the Inner Harbour were left without power, as flooding had broken the electric meters. Street lighting was unavailable in the area concerned.
Water at the Maritime Terminal carpark had been withdrawn, although no date has been set yet for reopening.
200 vehicles at the underground carpark of the Workers’ Stadium were damaged as a result of flooding. Owners are negotiating with the management on compensation, with the help of the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations.
Bus services will resume from the Portas do Cerco underground bus terminal, which was also affected by flooding, from today.
Vendors at the Inner Harbour and the city centre areas were selling their goods at discounted prices, as most of them had been soaked with water for too long and became void.
