Legislator Gary Chan Hak-kan said he was told by the director that the clearing of the boulders, which blocked the river in Sha Po Tsai village, will be completed by Sunday. A floodgate will also be built.

Chan met with Lau and Development Bureau officials yesterday.

A 50-year-old villager, Lam Wing-wick, died in the floods triggered by last Thursday's black rainstorm, and more than a dozen villagers were trapped for hours before they were rescued.

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Villagers said boulders from government construction projects washed down from the upper reaches of the river, blocking it and causing the flooding.

"We hope the floodgate can block both the boulders and water [from going to the lower stream]," Chan said.

According to Chan, Lau agreed that the boulders came from nearby government construction projects.

Lau has earlier denied that the flooding was caused by one of the nearby drainage works of his department.

The Drainage Services Department also will address the issue of compensation when the investigation on the cause of flooding is completed in six weeks, Chan said.

"We hope the investigation can be completed as soon as possible so that it will not cause trouble for villagers when claiming compensation," he said.

Chan said villagers remain afraid that more flooding will occur. "Many have packed their things and are ready to leave," he said.

During the second black rainstorm on Wednesday, Chan and other government officials visited every household to warn villagers to seek safety in the Tai Po Community Centre.