ESCAP/WMO Typhoon CommitteeIntegrated Workshop

"Urban Flood Risk Management in a Changing Climate: Sustainable and Adaptation Challenges"

6-10 September 2010Macao, China

Typhoon “Koppu” - Major Disaster Affecting Macao in 2009

Security Forces Coordination Office, Macao, China Cecilia Leong

Overview of Typhoon “Koppu”

Impacts of Typhoon “Koppu”

Incidents No. of IncidentsFlooding 7

Fallen Trees 29

Signboards / Awnings / Windows / Walls (collapsed / tottering)

53

Scaffoldings / Fencings / Cranes (collapsed / tottering)

9

Power Cables / Lampposts (collapsed / tottering) 2

Others 45

Total 145

Injuries 5

Flooding

Combined effects of high tides and storm surges resulted in backflow of sea water, seriously flooding the coastal and low lying areas

Meteorological and Geophysics Bureau of Macau (SMG) issued a black storm surge warning signal (the highest level) for the first time

Flooding

Some power equipment were affected, causing blackouts to 1,688 households

The most affected area was the Inner Harbour, with water level reaching 1.15m above the ground, whereas Taipa and Coloane registered 0.45m and 0.90m of water respectively

Sea water, sand and rubbish were surged into the streets, affecting traffic and causing hygiene problems

Strong Wind

Downed trees

Collapsed or tottering signboards, scaffoldings, fencings, lampposts, and power cables in various districts

Other Incidents

Include damages like power distribution boxes smoking or on fire, fallen tiles or concrete

5 people were slightly wounded

14 people sought refuge at the Ilha Verde temporary shelter

Measures Implemented - Flooding

The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) will construct three storm water pumping stations to improve the public drainage network and prevent flooding problems during the rainy season

SMG introduced a storm surge warning system in April 2009

IACM has coordinated with related franchise company so that drainage will be cleared up before and immediately after typhoon

Measures Implemented - Flooding

Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) plans to commence a major sewer upgrade project in “Kou Si Tak” area

Government officials and representatives of community associations visited the affected areas to collect opinions on the impacts of Koppu

The power company has undertaken improvement works at various areas and raised a number of power equipment

Measures Implemented – Strong Wind

IACM has created an Identification Card for more than 21,000 trees

IACM is strengthening the control of illegal installation of business and advertising signs and its removal

The database includes the height, trunk diameter, location, growth and health problems of the trees

Measures Implemented - Landslide

Engineers of the Slope Safety Panel receive training periodically

The Slope Safety Panel formed by the DSSOPT, IACM and the Civil Engineering Laboratory has already inspected all the 194 slopes in Macao

Until 2009, reinforcement and related works had been completed on about half of the slopes with high landslide risk

Measures Implemented - Others

SMG has upgraded its “e-Met Express” service by adding information such as typhoon warning, thunder storm, rainstorm, monsoon and storm surge warning through email service

Security Forces Coordination Office (GCSeg) launched a civil protection related website (www.gcseg.gov.mo) in April 2010

GCSeg is also keen on promoting typhoon prevention via the media or through distribution of brochures and pamphlets

Measures Implemented - Others

GCSeg holds a joint exercise involving all the members of Civil Protection System prior to the coming of typhoon season every year

A conference will then be held to review the civil protection mechanism and solve the problems found in the typhoon exercise

Thank You