Secretary for Culture and Social Affairs, Alexis Tam said at a press conference this afternoon that Macau is facing a water scarcity crisis after typhoon Hato hit Macau on Wednesday. The Ilha Verde water treatment plant – the main water supplier of the city – flooded on Wednesday, affecting the water supply in the Macau Peninsula.
Tam assured the public that local water reserves are sufficient to last until next week. At the moment, some areas of the city remain without water. Susana Wong, Director of the Marine and Water Bureau expects the water supply to these areas to be back to normal tonight, although Oscar Chu, Executive Director of Macao Water, has commented that this could be as late as 5am tomorrow morning.
Tam asked residents to use water wisely and try to help those in need, especially the elderly.
The Secretary also stated that Macau’s cultural heritage sites suffered minor damage, though damage to the Macau Cultural Centre and the Macau Science Centre buildings is more substantial.
The Education and Youth Bureau reported that many schools have been affected by flooding and some will now only be able to start on September 1.
Photo: TDM Radio
