Yau Tong Water Main Bursts; 10-Meter Geyser Forces Road Closure
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A major water pipe burst incident occurred in Yau Tong on Wednesday afternoon, sending a massive geyser shooting roughly 10 meters into the air and causing significant road damage. The incident took place at around 12:37 PM on Lei Yue Mun Path near the construction site adjacent to a hillside. Police officers arrived at the scene, cordoned off approximately 20 meters of the area, and summoned the Water Supplies Department to shut off the valve and carry out emergency repairs. The water flow was successfully stopped by 1:12 PM. Due to the burst pipe and road collapse, the Transport Department announced the full closure of Lei Yue Mun Path toward Lei Yue Mun Estate, advising drivers to consider using Cao Shan Path as an alternative route.
Key Points
- Incident occurred at 12:37 PM on October 14 at the section of Lei Yue Mun Path near Yau Mei Court (油美苑), outside number 80
- An underground saltwater pipe burst, sending water gushing about 10 meters high—roughly equivalent to a 3-story building
- The burst pipe caused road collapse affecting approximately 20 meters of roadway near a hillside construction site
- Police sealed off the scene and the Water Supplies Department stopped the water flow by 1:12 PM, roughly 35 minutes after the incident
- The Transport Department imposed full road closure on Lei Yue Mun Path toward Lei Yue Mun Estate near the playground; Cao Shan Path is recommended as alternative
Why It Matters
This incident underscores the aging infrastructure challenges facing Hong Kong's underground utility network. The burst pipe not only disrupted traffic but also highlighted potential risks near hillside construction sites, where soil instability from water seepage could exacerbate road conditions. As emergency crews continue repairs, the prolonged road closure will impact daily commutes for residents in the Lei Yue Mun Estate area.
This incident underscores the aging infrastructure challenges facing Hong Kong's underground utility network. The burst pipe not only disrupted traffic but also highlighted potential risks near hillside construction sites, where soil instability from water seepage could exacerbate road conditions. As emergency crews continue repairs, the prolonged road closure will impact daily commutes for residents in the Lei Yue Mun Estate area.