Hong Kong authorities have acquired three more robotic “water-pumping dragon” machines, at a cost of HK$1 million (US$127,390) each, with the devices to be ready for use later this week to help emergency services battle potential flooding.
Advertisement
The Drainage Services Department said on Tuesday that its machines had been deployed for 500 hours since the start of this year’s rainy season.
The new devices will add to the department’s four bought since April and another two acquired earlier.
“The machines have proven to be effective and shown positive results, so we will be purchasing more ‘water-pumping dragon’ machines to tackle the challenges arising from extreme weather events,” said Yvonne Lo Chau-ling, chief engineer from the department’s mainland north division.
The department said the three new machines were expected to arrive this week from mainland China’s Fujian province.
Advertisement
Lo said the “water-pumping dragons” were deployed 10 times and drained flooded areas such as a car park in Tseung Kwan O, Queen Mary Hospital and Tai Po MTR station during a record-breaking rainstorm earlier this month.
They pump water through a tube measuring about 30cm (one foot) in diameter, which has a filter to sieve out debris, passing through the robot and into the nearest storm drain.