Sunday's weather did not match the criteria which would have sent out the flood watch message and a crew of fewer than 10 people were dispatched to alleviate the flooding when the amber rain signal was raised, according the Drainage Services Department.

Owners of small businesses selling dried seafood along Wing Lok street said they suffered damage worth more HK$100,000 after a record downpour of more 150 millimeters of rain in an hour lashed the territory early Sunday, said the Hong Kong Observatory.

Low lying Sheung Wan is particularly prone to flooding, and a new HK$200 million drainage system is expected to be ready for use in early 2009. In the meantime, the DSD implemented a flood watch message system in April to warn residents and shop owners of possible flooding.

However, Central and Western District Councillor, and chairwoman of the Food, Environment, Hygiene and Works Committee Cyd Ho Sau-lan, said she is on the call list for the flood watch system but received no message.

Technical secretary at the DSD, Robin Lee Kui-biu confirmed no message was sent because Sunday's weather did not match the criteria of there being a typhoon number eight or above signal, and the sea-level reaching 2.4 meters chart datum or above. Last night's sea- level reached 1.5 mcd.

He said a meeting will be held today and that if there is significant response from the Sheung Wan community, the DSD will consider revising the messaging system so that it will be initiated when there is real flooding, as well as when the other criteria is met.

But considering the time at which the downpour and consequent flooding occurred, he said it was more important that the contractor crew did its job when dispatched to Sheung Wan. After the crew cleared out the rubbish blocking the sewers, waters receded from knee level to ankle level in 15 to 20 minutes.

The DSD, Highways Department, Water Supplies Department and Home Affairs Department are also devising a plan to remedy the perennial problems with Wong Chuk Yeung Street in Fo Tan, which has literally broken up at every instance of rain reaching red signal or above this year.

The DSD will "carry out urgent works in the next few weeks," a government press release said Sunday. "These urgent works, when completed in about four months, will help alleviate the flooding problem at Wong Chuk Yeung Street."

In addition to these drainage works, the Water Supplies Department will consider diverting some of the upland flow to other catchments.

Meanwhile, the Highways Department will arrange for the reconstruction of sections of Wong Chuk Yeung Street with concrete pavement, and the installation of sub-soil drains. "These measures will help strengthen the pavement from being damaged by heavy rains again," the government said.

The amber rain signal was raised at 2.11am Sunday, but was raised to a black signal within 40 minutes, leaving many late-night revelers stranded in the bars of Lan Kwai Fong. The black rainstorm warning was raised for two hours with 150 millimeters falling between 2am and 3am - a 14-year record. All rain signals were removed at 7.45am.

The overnight rains also damaged the Tung Chung Road on Lantau to such an extent that bus services to the Big Buddha had to be suspended. Police said a section of the road between South Lantau Road and Shek Mun Kap had subsided and the road was not able to bear normal traffic until 4pm.

In the city, drivers had to evacuate their vehicles along roads in Ho Man Tin, Sunday, when water levels reached the railings. A tree on Bluepool road in Happy Valley collapsed and damaged a light pole. An express train from Shanghai was also delayed this morning, as was the return journey. There were 33 reports of flooding.

The Observatory forecasts occasional heavy rains in the next few days, with a few squally thunderstorms. Sunny periods are expected later.