Editorial : A cold lesson for Hong Kong
輕忽極端天氣禍害 整體社會需要補課
文章日期:2016年5月27日

雙語社評齊齊聽

英語 (足本收聽)

普通話 (足本收聽)

【明報專訊】HIT by an intense cold snap, Hong Kong has gone through its coldest weather in 59 years. This cold snap was forecast about half a month ago by meteorological organisations in different parts of the world, including mainland China, and similar warnings were also issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. The public was therefore prepared for a cold spell that would replace the warm days the city had experienced since the beginning of this winter. However, what most people were not prepared for was the formation of ice on the road surface, which made driving and walking difficult.

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今次強烈寒潮來襲,帶來59年一遇的最寒冷天氣。約在半個月前,內地與其他國家地區的氣象機構早有預報,本港天文台也一再發出類似信息。市民根據天文台的信息,知道寒潮將帶來寒冷,改變入冬以來的暖和天氣,但是對於路面會出現結冰,不宜行車和徒步的景况,事前大多數人都意想不到。

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And the cold wave not only caused temperatures to plunge, but also brought stiff winds. At about 3 am on Sunday, many were awakened by the stiff winds that suddenly rose - and the winds, which a lot of people felt were even stronger than those under typhoon signal number 8, raged for about two hours before gradually subsiding. As the cold spell approached, the public knew they should put on warm clothes, but they had no idea of the stiff winds, and the Hong Kong Observatory had never issued a high wind warning.

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事實上,寒潮不單帶來低溫,還颳起大風。周日凌晨約3時起,許多人都被突然颳起的狂風驚醒。不少人感覺威力較諸8號風球的烈風,猶有過之,如是者風勢歷經約兩小時,才平緩下來。市民對於寒潮的防範,只知道穿著足夠禦寒衣物,根本就沒有防風意識,天文台也沒有發出防風警示。

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A cross country race, arranged some time earlier, happened to coincide with the cold snap. As the weather rapidly worsened during the race, dozens of the runners found themselves in danger and called the police for help. In addition, there are always drivers or hikers who would visit Kowloon Peak or Tai Mo Shan in search of frost during very cold weather. As this cold snap kicked in over the weekend, many who wanted to see ice and snow, which are rare in Hong Kong, flocked to the two mountains in spite of the slippery road conditions, and were trapped when the roads iced over. Many of those who sought help were snow and ice chasers. Like those who go surfing at Stanley or Big Wave Bay when typhoon signal number 8 is hoisted, these people were heedless of the hazards related to extreme weather conditions.

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原本計劃好的越野長跑比賽遇到寒潮,比賽期間天氣急速變壞,導致數十名跑手身陷險境,報警求助。另外,以往每逢嚴寒天氣都有人駕車或嘗試徒步登上飛鵝山、大帽山等追尋霜蹤,今次寒潮適逢周末、周日,更多人憧憬一睹難得一見的冰雪景觀。因此,大批人即使路面濕滑,仍然湧向這兩座山,結果為路面結冰所困。求助者當中,不乏這類市民,他們與那些掛出8號風球之後才去赤柱、大浪灣等海灘衝浪的人,如出一轍,說明他們輕忽了極端天氣帶來的危險。

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It was with great difficulty that the fire service came to their rescue and all those trapped were brought to safety. The efforts made by the firemen were laudable. However, as could be seen in their rescue operations, they lacked the equipment to work effectively in icy surroundings. For instance, the icy roads were wet and slippery, but at first they did not even have crampons attached to their shoes.

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消防員在十分艱難的情况下完成救援任務,使受困市民悉數安全;消防員的工作和努力,值得肯定。不過,消防員在「冰天雪地」救援所見,暴露他們缺乏裝備。例如路面結冰濕滑,消防員起初連冰爪鞋也沒有。

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A subtropical city, Hong Kong even in winter rarely suffers such biting cold as we have just experienced. It is therefore not surprising that the life-saving professionals are not adequately equipped for rescue operations in icy surroundings. This cold snap may be regarded as a lesson showing us that, to cope with extreme weather conditions, we can only refer to the experience of other countries or regions, and must make the necessary preparations according to Hong Kong's circumstances.

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香港位處亞熱帶,即使是冬天,也鮮見如近日的嚴寒;因此,負責救援隊伍缺乏在冰天雪地使用的標準裝備,可以理解。今次寒潮是一次機會教育,說明在極端天氣,只能參考其他國家地區發生過的極端天氣景况,然後按本港環境做適當準備。

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As for the Hong Kong Observatory, while it did forewarn the public of the cold wave, it is questionable whether the details it provided were accurate and sufficient. Clearly, the Observatory can do better with respect to extreme weather forecasts, and more must be done to let the public know what they should do. And the public must behave responsibly. If the police close the road to the summit of Tai Mo Shan, they do so for our safety, and we as citizens should cooperate with them, or we may put ourselves and others in danger.

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至於天文台,就今次寒潮來襲,不能說沒有示警,不過信息是否夠準確和足夠,是另一回事,反映天文台要研究如何加強極端天氣的預警,提示市民須注意事項。還有是市民須自覺,警方封閉登上大帽山的路,是為了市民安全,市民的恰當做法是配合警方,避免害己累人。

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明報社評2016.01.26

Presented by lecturers of Hong Kong Community College, PolyU and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Ms LUI, Emily Nga-kwan
Lecturer, HKCC
www.hkcc-polyu.edu.hk/staff_directory/social_communication/details.php?id=130&lang=eng

鄭靜芳
講師
www.hkcc-polyu.edu.hk/staff_directory/social_communication/details.php?id=321&lang=chi

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