Interactive Geography (2nd edition)
3.4 How does Hong Kong prepare for and respond to landslides?
Refer to textbook P. 36-39
Concept: Landslide • Preventive and remedial measures
The table below shows the preventive measures of landslides adopted in Hong Kong.
Preventive measure Description Function
Increase the stability of man- To reduce the risk of
made slopes by engineering landslides
works
Engineering work Function
To prevent rainwater from
a. covers
seeping into the slopes
1.
b. Weep holes and
To help drain excess water
c. Soil nails and To offer physical support to
slopes
d. Flexible barriers and To trap soil and rock debris
that are sliding down
Greening on engineered To improve the
slopes appearance of the slopes
2. Determine how the land on
and around slopes should be To reduce the risk of
used based on the stability landslides
and safety of the slopes
© 2022 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 1
Interactive Geography (2nd edition)
Preventive measure Description Function
In the 1980s, the government:
a. Started to clear squatter huts
located on hillsides.
Performed engineering
works.
Restricted development on
slopes.
To reduce the risk of
are conducted for
landslides
development projects near
b.
dangerous slopes.
Example: Due to the high
risk of landslides, the land
near Castle Peak that had
been proposed for residential
development was changed
to .
Two thirds of the man-made
3. slopes are regularly checked
and maintained by the
To ensure the slopes
government.
meeting safety standards
Owners of private slopes are
responsible for ensuring the
slopes’ safety.
Warning signs are posted
4.
near dangerous slopes
To remind people to stay
A is issued away from these slopes
when there is heavy rainfall
and a high risk of landslides.
© 2022 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2
Interactive Geography (2nd edition)
Preventive measure Description Function
5.
Provide useful information
for citizens through To raise public awareness
, TV of slope safety
advertisements and websites
The table below shows the remedial measures of landslides adopted in Hong Kong.
Remedial measure Description Function
Send rescue teams to the
sites of landslide
Open temporary shelters to
1.
To minimise casualties
people in need
Provide food, water and
emergency supplies
Clear rock debris on the To restore transport
roads services
2.
Carry out engineering works To repair collapsed slopes
Example: build retaining To prevent landslides
walls and weep holes from happening again
© 2022 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 3
Interactive Geography (2nd edition)
Relief of Hong Kong
Relief 地勢 Yuen Long Plain 元朗平原
Lowland 低地 Sheung Shui-Fanling Plain 上水—粉嶺平原
Highland 高地 Victoria Harbour 維多利亞港
New Territories 新界 Reclamation 填海
Lantau Island 大嶼山 New town 新市鎮
Tai Mo Shan 大帽山
Formation of landslides
Landslide 山泥傾瀉 Gravity 重力
Causes of landslides
Slope angle 坡度角 Cut slope 削土坡
Granite 花崗岩 Fill slope 填土坡
Joint 節理 Sau Mau Ping 秀茂坪
Weathering 風化 Drainage channel 排水渠
Negative impacts of landslides
Po Shan Road 寶珊道 Tung Chung Road 東涌道
North Lantau Highway 北大嶼山公路 Keung Shan Road 羗山道
Yu Tung Road 裕東路 Tai O 大澳
Yat Tung Estate 逸東邨
Measures to cope with landslides
Concrete 混凝土 Rigid barrier 泥石壩
Weep hole 排水孔 Squatter hut 寮屋
Surface channel 排水明渠 Risk assessment 風險評估
Soil nail 泥釘 Castle Peak 青山
Retaining wall 擋土牆 Landslip Warning 山泥傾瀉警告
Stone pitching 砌石護面 Rehabilitation 復修
Flexible barrier 柔性防護網
© 2022 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 4
