雙語社評齊齊聽
英語 (足本收聽)
普通話 (足本收聽)
【明報專訊】AS GLOBAL WARMING tightens its grip, extreme weather hits different places in different ways. The night before last (March 30), the Hong Kong Observatory issued the black rainstorm warning, which is rare for March. What is more, over the past 26 years, there have been only four hailstorms in March in Hong Kong. The black rainstorm and the accompanying hailstones were therefore no normal phenomena, but were signs of extreme weather.
英語
隨着全球氣候暖化，極端天氣在各地以不同形態出現。前晚，本港天文台在3月間發出黑色暴雨警告，歷來較少見，而3月落雹，過去26年只有4次，所以，這個時候黑色暴雨來襲以至落雹，並非常態，反映本港出現極端天氣。
普通話
Like other countries and regions, Hong Kong must cope with extreme weather conditions in two ways. First, while things like rainstorms and hailstorms are beyond human control, Hong Kong must do its part in reducing ecological destruction. Second, with respect to what is within human control, measures must be taken to get Hong Kong better prepared for unexpected onslaughts of inclement weather.
英語
香港正如其他國家地區，就極端天氣同樣面對兩種情况，一種是不可控制因素，例如暴雨、落雹突然而來，誰也改變不了，在這個層面，香港只能盡一己之力，減少破壞生態環境；另一種是可控制因素，做好準備，應對突如其來的侵襲。
普通話
According to the experts, Hong Kong's drainage infrastructure should be able to cope with heavy rainstorms expected only once every 50 years. While the rainstorm experienced the night before last was one that is not expected to occur more than once every 200 years, and places like Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, and Tuen Mun in New Territories West reported rainfall exceeding 150 mm within a very short time, the floods were, according to Drainage Services Department director Daniel Chung Kum-wah, caused by rubbish that blocked drain covers. If Chung's explanation is true, there apparently have been management problems. Hong Kong is entering the rainy season soon, and if the government is able to learn from the black rainstorm we have just been through, it must take particular care to keep drain covers free from obstruction.
英語
有關基礎設施，據專家介紹，本港渠務工程按50年一遇規格建造，前晚暴雨雖然是200年一遇，新界西例如荃灣、元朗、屯門等極短時間內雨量超過150毫米，但是，據渠務署長鍾錦華說，原因在於渠面被垃圾阻塞，未能及時疏導雨水。若鍾署長的說法符合事實，反映管理有問題。本港即將進入雨季，今次黑色暴雨來襲，若政府從中總結經驗教訓，應該知道保持渠道排水口暢通的重要。
普通話
During the hail and rain storm, there appeared the "spectacle" of rainwater cascading from the ceiling of the Festival Walk mall in Kowloon Tong. It is preliminarily found that the "spectacle" was the result of drains on the glass roof being blocked by rubbish, such as fallen leaves. If that was really the case, it seems justified to say again that there have been management problems. For no "waterfalls" would have appeared in the mall if the drains had been kept in good order.
英語
今次暴雨與落雹，九龍塘又一城商場雨水從天花傾瀉而下的景象，被形容為一幕「奇景」。初步相信天幕玻璃排水管道被例如樹葉等堵塞。若情况屬實，有理由相信問題出在管理，若排水口通暢，商場瀑布就不會出現。
普通話
Judging by what happened during the rainstorm, there are several other things that should be taken into consideration in coping with extreme weather events.
(1) Though extreme weather conditions are difficult to predict, the government should not have failed to make a coordinated and trans-departmental response to deal with the damage wrought by the rainstorm. A trans-departmental mechanism should be established to take care of natural disasters.
(2) The rainstorm turned the Festival Walk mall into a "scenic spot", and crowds of spectators were allowed to gather and take photographs. There were even those who, without being stopped, tried to slide on the waterlogged floor. The mall management should have done better in this respect.
(3) While in terms of good management the mall should have asked people to leave and prevented more people from coming along, the public must be reminded that safety should be their first consideration under such circumstances.
英語
前晚所見，本港應對極端天氣，在不同層面還有幾個情况值得關注。
（1）雖然極端天氣難以估算，但是在暴雨和落雹之後，未見政府啟動跨部門應變。政府有必要研議強化機制，加強應對天災的應變能力。
（2）今次天災使又一城商場成為「景點」，但是現場仍然容許市民圍觀及拍照，還有人做出水上「滑行」動作，並無被制止。所以，商場當局的應對是否恰當，值得商榷。
（3）商場當局未要求市民離去，或阻止市民再進入商場，是管理問題，市民不自覺奉行安全第一，也需要反省。
普通話
Writing about the rainstorm on his blog, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying urges the public to pay attention to safety, and instructs the departments concerned to take proper relief measures. We hope he will do more. If under his guidance a mechanism can be established to cope with unexpected natural hazards, Hong Kong will be better prepared for disasters associated with extreme weather conditions.
英語
行政長官梁振英在網誌談及這次天災，着重呼籲市民注意安全，也責成各相關部門做好救災工作，若他能夠再進一步，推動政府研議建立更具應變能力的機制，則本港在應對極端天氣帶來的禍害，將會有較充分的準備。
普通話
明報社評 2014.04.01
■Glossary
onslaught：a strong or violent attack
inclement：not pleasant; cold, wet, etc
spectacle：a sight or view that is very impressive to look at
Presented by lecturers of Hong Kong Community College, PolyU and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Jason Chan
Lecturer, HKCC
http://www.hkcc-polyu.edu.hk/staff_directory/social_communication/details.php?id=75&lang=eng
郭熙琳
香港專上學院講師
http://www.hkcc-polyu.edu.hk/staff_directory/social_communication/details.php?id=92&lang=chi
Powered by 
and 
