Macau (MNA) – The passage of Typhoon Mangkhut in Macau led to some 40 people being injured, mostly with light injuries, and no fatalities, according to the head of the Unitary Police Service (SPU), Ma Io Kun, said this Monday in a press conference to review the protection efforts during the passage of the typhoon.
The passage of Typhoon Hato, which ravaged the city in August 23, 2017 killing 10 people and caused around MOP12.55 billion (US$1.55 billion) in losses.
According to Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, the passage of Typhoon Hato led to the Macau government to implement “notable improvements” in the emergency civil protection operations, service coordination, contingency measures and storm response capacity and information divulged.
The Secretary also indicated that financial losses caused by Typhoon Mangkhut were also expected to be lower than those caused by Typhoon Hato
Comparing monsters
Signal No. 10 was hoisted for nine hours for Typhoon Mangkhut, with the Secretary indicating that it was the longest period registered since 1968.
According to the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG)Â Director, Raymond Tam, in some aspects Typhoon Mangkhut was stronger in “some aspects” than Typhoon Hato
“Typhoon Mangkhut was considered a super typhoon, however after passing the Philippines it weakened and reached Macau with less intensity,” Mr. Tam indicated.
A super typhoon is classified as a tropical cyclone with a maximum 10-minute average wind speed of at least 185km/h, with Typhoon Mangkhut having been downgraded to a Severe Typhoon, with sustained wind speed ranging between 88 to 117 km/h.
Typhoon Mangkhut – which got closer to Macau at 50 kilometres – was said to have registered wind speeds as high as 173 km/h, with wind gusts reaching 188 km/h recorded at Amizade Bridge and tide height reaching some 5.5 meters.
Meanwhile Typhoon Hato was said to have registered wind speed of 165 km/h, with wind gusts reaching 210 km/h recorded at Amizade Bridge, with tide height reaching some 5.58 metres.
Around 5,600 people living in ground or first floors in low-rise areas were evacuated due possible flooding with some 1,343 using the 16 typhoon shelters set in the city, with the remaining “mainly staying with family or relatives”, the SPU Commissioner indicated.
According to the Secretary for Security although evacuation during times of crisis should be mandatory by law, with the revision of the Civil Protection Law to consider this possibility.
The Secretary also noted that again several people “with ill intent spread fake information and rumours” during a typhoon period, but without indicating the total number of cases or if if any people were to be charged for this.
Proposed amendments to the Civil Protection Law indicate that spreading rumours during incidents classified as emergencies could be punished by imprisonment of up to three years.
Police authorities also informed that between 6:00 pm of Saturday and 4:00 pm of Sunday some 31 cases of overcharging by taxi drivers, 11 cases of refusal of transport, 2 cases of illegal taxi services and four cases related to other offenses were recorded.
Softer damages
Meanwhile, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau  (IACM), President Jose Tavares, indicated that as of 12:00 pm of this Monday, some 455 tonnes of garbage had been collected, with 2.8 tonnes of ruined meat from 12 establishments having to be destroyed.
“This morning some 500 IACM employees and 1,500 volunteers went to clean the streets and visit residents’ houses and stores to see if they suffered any damages,” the IACM head indicated.
Around 3,700 trees were also said to have been damaged, with 1,500 trees having fallen and with 75 tonnes damaged trees wood and branches having been collected.
According to a Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM) representative, some 20,000 people suffered energy cuts due to the typhoon, with between 1,000 or 2000 people currently still having energy supply issues.
“We did prevention work before the typhoon with 300 people set to respond to any cases, in Coloane and Mainland China to assure normal energy supply. With floods reaching 1.9 meters above street level [at the Inner Harbour], at 1:00 pm yesterday we suspended energy in some areas, in Lam Mau Doc , Praia do Manduco, Patane, a hard decision made to avoid serious problems. After flooding subsided we sent employees to help with maintenance,” a senior manager at CEM, Leong Pou I, indicated.
The Transport Bureau (DSAT) Director, Lam Hin San, indicated that 15 traffic lights in the city suffered damages with five being already fixed, while none of the city’s 900 public buses suffering any damages.
Only 12 of the 82 bus routes were said to have had issues due to obstacles in the roads, but with all bus routes having resumed normal service as of 6:00pm of today.
Meanwhile the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Director, Susana Wong, indicated that 21 buildings had suffered water supply issues, with 15 having already seen water supply regained and with six still in repairs.
Macao Water set up three temporary water supply tanks at Cheng Chong Vuilding, Yuet Tak Building and Ou Va Building.
