The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, gives instructions at a Civil Protection Operations Centre meeting while he reviewing Macao's preparation effort in response to super typhoon Mangkhut.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today directed members of the civil protection system to apply their utmost effort in preparing for the possible impact of Typhoon Mangkhut, classified as a “super typhoon”.
During a meeting at the Civil Protection Operations Centre, Mr Chui ordered the city’s 29-member civil protection management team to raise its level of preparedness in response to the approach of the powerful storm.
Public departments had already been directed to prepare – well in advance – for the most challenging possible scenarios regarding the impact such a typhoon might have on the community; so the Government had the capability to adapt to, and handle as necessary, any situation.
Mr Chui urged the community to be adequately prepared and cooperate with the Government’s emergency planning. But he gave assurances there was no need for panic in relation to the approaching typhoon. During a public emergency, it was important to pay close attention to information provided by the Government and to take any appropriate advice.
Protecting the safety of the public was a key priority of the Government, and public departments had made all-round plans for any contingency, to ensure the maintenance of social order during a typhoon period, Mr Chui stressed.
The Chief Executive convened today’s meeting in order to review the Government’s preparedness for the storm, an event that was forecast to bring adverse weather to Macao over the weekend (15 and 16 September).
In view of the potential significant impact of Typhoon Mangkhut, Mr Chui urged those operating the civil protection system to pay even closer attention than at other typhoon periods to the following six tasks:
1) ensuring relevant officials keep in post in order to assist in mitigating any effects of the storm;
2) ensuring effective monitoring and forecasting regarding the path and movement of Typhoon Mangkhut; and bolstering communication with weather forecasting departments on the mainland, in Hong Kong and in other countries and areas;
3) ensuring typhoon-related information is delivered, on a rolling basis – via the various designated communication channels – to members of the public;
4) making stronger the measures to prevent and if necessary mitigate flooding, and those to ensure proper operation of all equipment in relation to the supply of water, electricity and telecommunications services;
5) ensuring proper operation of the 16 shelter centres set up across the city; as well as making preparations in case evacuation of people living in low-lying areas was needed; those with special needs warranted particular care; and
6) making proper arrangements regarding control of traffic and the closure of areas potentially dangerous in the event of typhoon, as well as of public car parks. The public should be informed of the implementation of these measures in order that they should not be exposed to the risk of accident.
Officials attending today’s meeting included the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service and commander of the joint civil protection operations, Mr Ma Io Kun; the Director General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; and representatives of the civil protection management team.
