The History of Wind Damage in Hong Kong
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Draft Po Toi Islands Outline Zoning Plan No. S/I-PTI/1
Islands District Council Paper No. IDC 28/2015 Draft Po Toi Islands Outline Zoning Plan No. S/I-PTI/1 1. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to seek Member’ views on the draft Po Toi Islands Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/I-PTI/1 together with its Notes and Explanatory Statement (ES) (Annexes I to III). 2. Background 2.1 Pursuant to section 20(5) of the Town Planning Ordinance (the Ordinance), the Po Toi Islands Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan is effective only for a period of 3 years until 2 March 2015. An OZP has to be prepared to replace the DPA Plan to maintain statutory planning control over the Po Toi Islands areas upon expiry of the DPA Plan. 2.2 The draft OZP was preliminarily considered and agreed by the Town Planning Board (the Board) on 5 December 2014. The draft OZP was submitted to the Lamma Island (South) Committee (LISRC) and the Islands District Council (IsDC) for consultation on 12 December 2014 and 15 December 2014 respectively. As suggested by Ms. YUE Lai-fun, Member of IsDC, another meeting with LISRC was held on 23.1.2015. In response to the local residents’ request, a meeting with the local residents of Po Toi was also held on 30.1.2015 to listen to their concerns on the draft OZP. Views of the LISRC and IsDC together with other public comments on the draft OZP were then submitted to the Board for further consideration on 13 February 2015. After considering all the views and comments received, the Board agreed to publish the draft OZP under section 5 of the Ordinance. -
Tidal Variability in the Hong Kong Region
1 Tidal variability in the Hong Kong region 2 3 Adam T. Devlin 4 Department of Geography and the Environment, Jiangxi Normal University. 5 Nanchang, Jiangxi, China 6 Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, 7 Hong Kong SAR, China 8 Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 9 10 Jiayi Pan* 11 Department of Geography and the Environment, Jiangxi Normal University. 12 Nanchang, Jiangxi, China 13 Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, 14 Hong Kong SAR, China 15 Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 16 17 Hui Lin 18 Department of Geography and the Environment, Jiangxi Normal University. 19 Nanchang, Jiangxi, China 20 Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, 21 Hong Kong SAR, China 22 23 * - Corresponding author 24 25 26 27 28 Second re-submission to Ocean Science 29 May 2019 30 31 1 32 Abstract 33 34 Mean sea level (MSL) is rising worldwide, and correlated changes in ocean tides are also 35 occurring. This combination may influence future extreme sea levels, possibly increasing 36 coastal inundation and nuisance flooding events in sensitive regions. Analyses of a set of tide 37 gauges in Hong Kong reveal complex tidal behavior. Most prominent in the results are strong 38 correlations of MSL variability to tidal variability over the 31-year period of 1986-2016; 39 these tidal anomaly correlations (TACs) express the sensitivity of tidal amplitudes and phases 40 (M2, S2, K1, O1) to MSL fluctuations and are widely observed across the Hong Kong region. -
HONG KONG's LIGHTHOUSES and the MEN WHO MANNED THEM LOUIS HA and DAN WATERS
281 HONG KONG'S LIGHTHOUSES AND THE MEN WHO MANNED THEM LOUIS HA and DAN WATERS [Complementary HKBRAS lectures were delivered by Fr. Louis Ha (Part One) and Dr. Dan Waters (Part Two) on 3rd May 2002. The following day, courtesy the Director, Government Marine Department, 93 HKBRAS members and guests visited Waglan Lighthouse. The above two lectures were based on the following text. All photographs accompanying these complementary papers were taken on the visit by long-time RAS member Charles Slater.] PART ONE Lighthouses on the coast, "sentinels of the sea, " are without doubt romantic and interesting to the ordinary person. Their loneliness and isolation, the mental picture of waves dashing vainly at their feet while the light shines overhead, far and wide over darkness and angry waters, the drama of shipwreck and rescue, and of successful passage through storm and stress, combine to give them a special appeal to the hearts and minds of all men.' This is one of the beautiful descriptions of lighthouses written by the Deputy Commissioner of Customs of China, T. Roger Banister, in 1932.1 Practical aids In reality, lighthouses exist for much more practical purposes; as aids to navigation in avoiding shipwrecks or grounding of ships. Traditional navigation aids include Light Vessels, Light Buoys, Beacons and Fog Signals such as bells, gongs, reed horns and explosives. These aids have been developed out of necessity over the ages. Pharos One of the oldest lighthouses was the Pharos at Alexandria, in 282 Egypt, which was built in the 3rd century B.C. - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, It was an eight-sided tower on top of which was a cylinder that extended up to an open cupola where the fire that provided the light burned. -
High-Resolution Initialization and Simulations of Typhoon Morakot (2009)
MAY 2011 N G U Y E N A N D C H E N 1463 High-Resolution Initialization and Simulations of Typhoon Morakot (2009) HIEP VAN NGUYEN AND YI-LENG CHEN Department of Meteorology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii (Manuscript received 19 May 2010, in final form 4 January 2011) ABSTRACT A model self-bogus vortex is constructed by cycle runs using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to provide high-resolution initial conditions for tropical cyclone (TC) simulations. The vortex after 1 h of model simulation is used to construct the vortex structure for the initial conditions for the next cycle run. After about 80 cycle runs, the TC structure is well adapted to the model employed and well adjusted to the given large-scale conditions. Three separate simulations using three different initial conditions including global analysis (CTRL), the bogus package from WRF (WB), and the new initialization package (NT) are performed for Typhoon Morakot (2009). The NT scheme shows advantages in generating realistic vortex features including sea level pressure, winds, a warm core, and correct TC size with the meteorological fields away from the observed TC center consistent with the global analysis. The NT scheme also shows significant improvements in TC sim- ulations including asymmetric structure, track, intensity, strength of low-level winds, radar reflectivity, and rainfall. For other runs, such as WB and CTRL, the unbalanced initial vortex needs to adjust to the changing environment during the first 2–3 days of model simulations, which is likely to have negative impacts on the track, intensity, and rainfall forecasts in most cases. -
Significant Data on Major Disasters Worldwide, 1900-Present
DISASTER HISTORY Signi ficant Data on Major Disasters Worldwide, 1900 - Present Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Developnent Washington, D.C. 20523 Labat-Anderson Incorporated Arlington, Virginia 22201 Under Contract AID/PDC-0000-C-00-8153 INTRODUCTION The OFDA Disaster History provides information on major disasters uhich have occurred around the world since 1900. Informtion is mare complete on events since 1964 - the year the Office of Fore8jn Disaster Assistance was created - and includes details on all disasters to nhich the Office responded with assistance. No records are kept on disasters uhich occurred within the United States and its territories.* All OFDA 'declared' disasters are included - i.e., all those in uhich the Chief of the U.S. Diplmtic Mission in an affected country determined that a disaster exfsted uhich warranted U.S. govermnt response. OFDA is charged with responsibility for coordinating all USG foreign disaster relief. Significant anon-declared' disasters are also included in the History based on the following criteria: o Earthquake and volcano disasters are included if tbe mmber of people killed is at least six, or the total nmber uilled and injured is 25 or more, or at least 1,000 people art affect&, or damage is $1 million or more. o mather disasters except draught (flood, storm, cyclone, typhoon, landslide, heat wave, cold wave, etc.) are included if the drof people killed and injured totals at least 50, or 1,000 or mre are homeless or affected, or damage Is at least S1 mi 1l ion. o Drought disasters are included if the nunber affected is substantial. -
Hong Kong Observatory
HONG KONG OBSERVATORY Technical Note No. 103 SEA-BREEZE INDUCED WINDSHEAR AT CHEK LAP KOK, HONG KONG by C.M. Cheng © Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government 摘要 本篇報告根據 1998 年 9 月 1 日至 1999 年 12 月 31 日期間赤 角跑道㆖的 風向及風速數據,研究由海風引致的風切變現象。研究結果顯示,雖然與 海風有關的「顯著」 風切變事件(定義為風切變強度等如或大於每小時 20 海里的事件)並不常見,但這些事件引致的風切變可達到每小時 23 海里。 ㆒般來說,這類風切變事件較多出現於春季及冬季。有利於這類顯著風切 變事件發生的㆝氣條件包括﹕(㆒) 赤 角的最高溫度高於海水溫度,(㆓) 背景風為較大的東至東北風。 ABSTRACT This note presents a study on the windshear events arising from sea breeze at Chek Lap Kok during the period from 1 September 1998 to 31 December 1999, based on runways winds. The results indicate that while "appreciable" windshear events (defined as windshear cases with strength of 20 kt or more) associated with sea breeze are not frequent, it is possible for the windshear to reach 23 kt during these events. In general, they occurred more often in winter and spring than in the other seasons. Favourable weather conditions inducive to appreciable windshear events associated with sea breeze are (i) higher maximum temperature at Chek Lap Kok than the sea surface temperature, and (ii) relatively high background winds from the east to northeast. ii CONTENTS ABSTRACT......................................................................................................... ii CONTENTS........................................................................................................ iii FIGURES .............................................................................................................iv TABLES................................................................................................................v -
Annotated Checklist of Hongkong Lichens
57 Tropical Bryology 17: 57-101, 1999 Annotated checklist of Hongkong Lichens André Aptroot Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, P.O. Box 273, NL-3740 AG Baarn, The Netherlands Mark R.D. Seaward Department of Environmental Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, United Kingdom Abstract. An annotated checklist of the lichens of Hong Kong, based on all available literature reports and specimens, including those recently collected by the authors, is presented. In total, 261 species are reported, of which 176 are new records for Hong Kong, 132 of which are new for China, 43 are new for East Asia, and 27 are new for Asia. The lichen vegetation is mainly tropical, as is shown by the distribution patterns of the identified species: 53 species are cosmopolitan, 40 northern temperate, 122 pantropical, 17 paleotropical and 29 endemic to tropical East Asia. With regard to substrata, 129 species are corticolous, 148 saxicolous, 17 foliicolous and 19 terricolous. Four species are newly described: Anisomeridium conorostratum Aptroot, A. hydei Aptroot, Caloplaca pulicarioides Aptroot and Placidiopsis poronioides Aptroot. The flora is rather poor in species; for example, no Caliciales have been found. In the past, the numbers of species of several groups such as the Graphidaceae, Heterodermia and Xanthoparmelia have been overestimated, whereas few pyrenocarps have been reported. The flora of wet granitic outcrops is surprisingly well developed in Hong Kong. Although not a single Peltula species was reported before, six species were identified, including one that was previously only known from Africa. In addition, several other cyanophilic genera are present, such as Euopsis, Psorotichia, Pyrenopsis and, most unexpectedly, Vestergrenopsis, each with one species. -
Analysis of Hong Kong's Wind Energy
sustainability Article Analysis of Hong Kong’s Wind Energy: Power Potential, Development Constraints, and Experiences from Other Countries for Local Wind Energy Promotion Strategies Xiaoxia Gao 1,2, Lu Xia 1, Lin Lu 2,* and Yonghua Li 1 1 Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University (Baoding), Beijing 071000, China; [email protected] (X.G.); [email protected] (L.X.); [email protected] (Y.L.) 2 Renewable Energy Research Group (RERG), Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 31 December 2018; Accepted: 31 January 2019; Published: 12 February 2019 Abstract: The wind energy utilization in Hong Kong is limited, although its potential has proven to be significant. The lack of effective policy for wind energy development is the main constraint. In this paper, the wind power potential in Hong Kong is analyzed, and the wind power potential assessment is conducted based on one-year field measured wind data using Light Detection & Ranging (LiDAR) technology in a proposed offshore wind farm. Results show that the offshore wind power potential in Hong Kong was 14,449 GWh which occupied 32.20% of electricity consumption in 2017. In addition, the electricity market and power structure in Hong Kong are also reviewed with the existing policies related to renewable energy development. Conclusions can be made that the renewable energy target in Hong Kong is out of date and until now there have been no specific effective policies on wind energy. In order to urge Hong Kong, catch up with other countries/regions on wind energy development, the histories and evolution of wind energy policies in other countries, especially in Denmark, are reviewed and discussed. -
Dynamics of Track Deflection Associated with the Passage of Tropical Cyclones Over a Mesoscale Mountain
VOLUME 134 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW DECEMBER 2006 Dynamics of Track Deflection Associated with the Passage of Tropical Cyclones over a Mesoscale Mountain YUH-LANG LIN AND NICHOLAS C. WITCRAFT Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina YING-HWA KUO Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Division, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado (Manuscript received 9 August 2005, in final form 21 February 2006) ABSTRACT In this study, the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Re- search (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5) was used to simulate Supertyphoon Bilis (in 2000) and Typhoon Toraji (in 2001) in order to investigate the dynamics of track deflection caused by the Central Mountain Range (CMR) of Taiwan. The MM5 predicted the track of each storm reasonably well. Bilis was stronger and had a relatively faster forward motion, which helped make the track continuous as it crossed the CMR. The use of a “bogus” vortex in the initialization process helped produce a storm closer to the observed strength. Bilis is a classic example of a typhoon crossing Taiwan with a continuous track. For comparison, Typhoon Toraji, a typical typhoon having a discontinuous track, was also studied. Toraji was weaker and had a relatively slower forward speed, which prevented the original low center from crossing over the CMR and forced more air parcels to go around the northern tip of the CMR. As a result, it produced a vortex and a secondary low center on the lee. Potential vorticity banners on the north side of the CMR acted to organize the secondary low and the lee vortex. -
Representation for Draft Po Toi Islands Development Permission Area Plan (DPA/I-PTI/1)
Representation for Draft Po Toi Islands Development Permission Area Plan (DPA/I-PTI/1) Proposal for a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Support for Country Park Designation on Po Toi Island The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society May 2012 1 Executive Summary Proposal for a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Support for Country Park Designation on Po Toi Island 1. The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS), founded in 1957, is an approved Charitable Institution of Public Character. It is the leading authority on bird research and conservation in Hong Kong. HKBWS has collected, reviewed and published records on birds for more than half a century, providing essential information for conservation of habitats and scientific research. 2. HKBWS appreciates the extension of planning control to Po Toi Island and supports the general planning intention of the Draft Po Toi Islands Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan. 3. This document affirms the high ecological value and special scientific interest outlined in the Explanatory Statement of the DPA, and requests the Town Planning Board to zone a “Site of Special Scientific Interest” on Po Toi Island, and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Country and Marine Parks Board and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to designate Po Toi Islands as Country Park (or Special Area) according to the suggestion of the South West New Territories Development Strategy Review (SWNT DSR) in 2001. 4. Po Toi Island is the southern-most outlying island in Hong Kong. Owing to its special geographical location, the lack of disturbance and quality of habitats on the island, Po Toi is a crucial refuelling stop for migratory birds that is of international importance and of special scientific value for the study of bird migration in Hong Kong and the East Asian Flyway. -
26Th October 1999
As Asia’s “World City”, Hong Kong must implement effective measures to reduce our carbon footprint, such as adopting environmentally friendly energy policies. In this edition we consider the government’s commitment—or lack thereof—to switching to renewable energy. The Editors CONTENTS HONG KONG LACKS COMMITMENT TO RENEWABLE ENERGY FEATURE: Page Energy policy HONG KONG LACKS The Environment Protection Department (EPD) and Environmental Bureau (ENB) are the government’s COMMITMENT TO principal agencies overseeing our two electricity supply companies – China Light and Power Company RENEWABLE Limited [now known as CLP Power Hong Kong Limited] (CLP) and The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. (HEC) – in the context of the environmental effects of their operations. ENERGY ............................... 1 The EPD’s energy policy vision (published on its website) is: TOWN PLANNING.………… 3 “Our vision is of a Hong Kong WEST KOWLOON which enjoys an environment that is both healthy and pleasant in which the community places a premium on sustaining such an environment for both themselves CULTURAL DISTRICT and future generations, and pursues sustainable development; and (WKCD)…...………………… 4 in which the community enjoys a reliable and safe energy supply at reasonable prices, while improving energy efficiency, promoting energy conservation and minimising the environmental HONG KONG BRIEFING..... 5 impacts from the production and use of energy” To realise this laudable, but very general, policy, EPD says: ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT “… we will continue to strengthen our ability to meet environmental sustainability goals. We will (ACE)………………………… 5 formulate policies and implement programmes to improve and safeguard the environment while contributing proactively to strategic decision-making in the government that will have an impact on the CLIMATE CHANGE………. -
MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE NO. 53 of 2017 (Navigational & Seamanship Safety Practices) Marine Sporting Activities for the Year 2017/18
MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE NO. 53 OF 2017 (Navigational & Seamanship Safety Practices) Marine Sporting Activities For The Year 2017/18 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following marine sporting activities under the auspices of various clubs and associations will take place throughout the year in areas listed below. This list is not exhaustive. Races will normally be conducted during weekends and Public Holidays unless otherwise specified. Yacht Races : Beaufort Island, Bluff Head, Cape D’Aguilar, Cheung Chau, Chung Hom Kok, Deep Water Bay, Discovery Bay, Hei Ling Chau, Junk Bay, Lamma Island, the north and south of Lantau Island, Ma Wan Channel, Mirs Bay, and areas off Ninepin Group, Peng Chau, Plover Cove, Po Toi Island, Port Shelter, Repulse Bay, Rocky Harbour, Round Island, Shek Kwu Chau, Siu Kau Yi Chau, Soko Islands, South Bay, Stanley Bay, Steep Island, Sung Kong, Sunshine Island, Tai Long Pai, Tai Tam Bay, Tathong Channel, Tolo Harbour, Eastern Victoria Harbour and Waglan Island. Windsurfing Races : Inner Port Shelter, Long Harbour, Lung Kwu Tan, Plover Cove, Shek O Wan, Sheung Sze Mun, Shui Hau Wan, Stanley Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Tolo Harbour and Tung Wan of Cheung Chau. Canoe Races : Beaufort Island, Cape D’Aguilar, Castle Peak Bay, Cheung Chau, Deep Water Bay, Discovery Bay, east of Lantau Island, Long Harbour, Man Kok Tsui, Peng Chau, Plover Cove, Port Shelter, Repulse Bay, Rocky Harbour, Shing Mun River Channel, South Bay, Siu Kau Yi Chau, Stanley Bay, Tai Lam Chung, Tai Tam Bay, Tai O, Tolo Harbour and Tung Chung. Dragon Boat, Colour