Water leakage, flooding and power outages are the most common problems faced by residents of substandard rooftop homes and squatter huts in Hong Kong during extreme weather, a survey has found, with the concern group behind the poll calling for better support for the needy.
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The Kwai Chung Subdivided Flat Residents Alliance on Saturday released the results of a survey it conducted last month, interviewing 124 people living in substandard homes about the impact of extreme weather on them.
The findings showed that extreme weather, such as typhoons and rainstorms, had affected the lives of the respondents, with about 80 per cent of them experiencing disruptions at least once.
The major problems they faced during extreme weather were water seepage and leaks, flooding, power outages and damage to appliances and furniture, reflecting the fragility of their homes, the alliance said.
Some respondents also encountered roofs falling off, windows breaking and ceilings collapsing, which threatened their personal safety and forced some to flee, the survey found.
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“Extreme weather has had a wide-ranging and severe impact on the lives and living environment of the respondents,” Kailey Ng, a member of the group, said.