A saltwater pipe burst on Haiphong Road in Mong Kok on Thursday, July 30, 2026, causing significant water leakage and localized traffic disruptions. Emergency crews from the Water Supplies Department are currently on-site to isolate the leak and conduct repairs to restore normal service to the affected area.
Water surged onto Haiphong Road in Mong Kok today after a saltwater main ruptured, flooding the street and impacting vehicle flow in one of Kowloon’s busiest commercial districts. The Water Supplies Department (WSD) dispatched repair teams to the scene immediately following reports of the burst.
Water Supplies Department Emergency Response
WSD crews have established a perimeter around the rupture site on Haiphong Road to facilitate emergency repairs. The primary objective for the technical teams is to isolate the damaged section of the saltwater pipe to stop the flow of water and prevent further erosion of the road surface. According to initial reports from the scene, the leak has resulted in surface flooding that has hindered the movement of both private vehicles and public transport.
Because the burst involves a saltwater pipe rather than a freshwater main, the immediate impact on drinking water supplies for nearby residential buildings is limited. However, the WSD is monitoring the pressure in the surrounding network to ensure that the isolation process does not cause unexpected drops in service for other commercial properties on the block.
Traffic Disruptions and Mong Kok Access
The flooding on Haiphong Road has forced traffic diversions, causing congestion that has spilled over into adjacent streets. Police and transport officials have implemented temporary traffic control measures to redirect motorists away from the rupture zone. Commuters in the Mong Kok area are experiencing delays as the water flow complicates the navigation of the narrow corridors typical of the district.
Local businesses on Haiphong Road are facing intermittent access issues as the WSD carries out excavation work to reach the burst pipe. The department has not yet provided a definitive timeline for when the road will be fully reopened to traffic, as the extent of the underground damage must first be assessed once the water is cleared.
Infrastructure Risks and Repair Timeline
The burst on Haiphong Road highlights the ongoing vulnerability of aging utility infrastructure in high-density areas like Mong Kok. While the WSD has not specified the age of the specific pipe that failed, the department is tasked with managing a complex web of legacy pipes that are subject to wear and pressure fluctuations.
The repair process generally follows a three-step sequence: isolation of the leak, excavation and replacement of the damaged segment, and the subsequent restoration of the road surface. The WSD is currently in the isolation phase. Once the pipe is secured, engineers will determine if the rupture was caused by material fatigue or external pressure from nearby construction activities.
The specific volume of water lost during the incident remains unconfirmed, though the visible flooding on the street indicates a high-pressure rupture. The WSD has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the exact cause of the failure or the estimated time for total restoration of the roadway.
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