Local farmers and fishermen who suffered serious losses due to the recent rainstorm can register for assistance from an emergency relief fund, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department announced today.

Registration opens tomorrow, with the application deadlines for affected farmers and fishermen being August 15 and September 17, respectively.

The department’s preliminary investigation revealed that about 300 hectares of farmland in the New Territories, and also some fishing vessels, were affected by the rainstorm. Relief funding will be released according to established criteria.

Affected farmers can submit their applications in person at the department’s Agricultural Extension Office at 5/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, or register online.

The department highlighted that local farmers who have already applied emergency relief funds due to the impact of Typhoon Wipha need not apply again, as the damage in relation to the typhoon and the rainstorm will be evaluated altogether. Farmers can call 2476 2424 for enquiries.

Meanwhile, affected fishermen can submit their applications at the department’s Liaison & Market Section at Room 825, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, or enrol online. They should call 2150 7099 for enquiries.