Hong Kong ombudsman to probe slope safety amid concerns over landslide risks
Number of landslides in 2023 exceeds 600, higher than the annual average of about 300 in the past 30 years, watchdog says
Hong Kong’s ombudsman will investigate the government’s handling of slope safety, citing concerns that a “considerable number” of repair orders issued to private owners have been “long outstanding”.
The watchdog said on Thursday the number of landslides in 2023 exceeded 600, higher than the annual average of about 300 in the past 30 years.
“With the government’s continuous efforts over the past few decades, overall slope safety in Hong Kong had been substantially uplifted compared with the 1970s,” Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi said.
“However, as extreme weather has become more frequent, coupled with gradual slope degradation, landslide risks still exist.
“To this end, I have decided to launch a direct investigation operation to seriously examine whether there is room for further enhancement of the government’s monitoring and regulation of slope safety.”
Chan noted the watchdog’s effort would include looking into the administration’s strategies on landslide prevention and mitigation, the routine repair and maintenance of government man-made slopes, as well as the issuance and enforcement of Dangerous Hillside Orders.
These orders are issued by the government to private man-made slopes after safety-screening studies find prima facie evidence that these formations are dangerous or liable to become dangerous.
