From Typhoon of 1874 to Mangkhut: Major Typhoons in the History of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is prone to typhoons attacks, which often lead to casualties, infrastructural damage and the collapse of buildings. These calamities leave a huge impact on society and lead a massive blow to the economy. Between the Typhoon of 1874 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, many tropical storms hit Hong Kong hard. Notable devastating typhoons before the Second World War include the Typhoon of 1874, the 1906 Hong Kong Typhoon and the 1937 Hong Kong Typhoon, all of which brought severe casualties and significant damage. Major storms that followed include Typhoon Mary (1960), Typhoon Wanda (1962), Typhoon Hope (1979) and Typhoon Ellen (1983), as well as the more recent ones like Typhoon Hato (2017) and Typhoon Mangkhut (2018). How did these typhoons affect Hong Kong? What have we learned from them? What should we do in face of extreme weather due to climate change? Through invaluable photographs and archives, the speaker will give an overview of the major typhoons in Hong Kong’s history, while sharing his insights and anecdotes of his research with the audience.

13 / 7 (Sat)

3 - 5pm

Mr Shun Chi Ming
(Former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory)

From Relief to Recovery: Tung Wah’s Charitable Work in the Aftermath of Typhoons
 

Whenever a typhoon causes severe casualties and economic losses in Hong Kong, swift action is required to deal with the aftermath. Tung Wah’s disaster relief works in Hong Kong commenced immediately after the Typhoon of 1874. At that time only basic meteorological monitoring was available, making typhoon forecasts impossible. As a result, many people were injured or killed. In response, Tung Wah not only provided medical service but also hired boats and employed workers to search for the bodies of victims along the coasts of the outlying islands. Additionally, funerals and burials of the deceased were conducted. After such disaster, Tung Wah built the “Public Graves for Typhoon Victims” (in Kai Lung Wan) and erected the “Monument to the Victims of the 1874 Typhoon at Hong Kong” to commemorate the devastating calamity. Tung Wah has since provided relief to survivors and helped to inter those killed after every natural or human-made disaster in Hong Kong. Utilising Tung Wah's historical archives, the speaker will discuss the organisation’s relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of typhoons.

10 / 8 (Sat)

3 - 5pm

Miss June YUEN
(Head of Records and Heritage Office, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals)