Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan has called on the public not to drop their guard and said government departments have taken precautionary measures as Super Typhoon Ragasa looms large.

Speaking on RTHK ahead of the Gale or Storm Signal No 8 to be issued on Tuesday afternoon, he said government departments have put contingency measures in place and advised people to protect themselves and their property.

For instance, he said, the Environmental Protection Department has designated temporary storage areas for fallen branches and scattered debris before they're being transferred to landfills after the storm.

As for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, "they have to talk to farmers in advance to tell them that they should harvest crops as soon as possible, otherwise they will lose everything when the super typhoon arrives," Tse said.

"As for crops that are not ready for harvesting, they should see what they can do to protect them. Farmers should also look into how they can secure structures that are vulnerable to typhoons, so as to avoid items from getting broken, as well as clearing drainage outlets to prevent flooding."

Fishermen, Tse said, should return to typhoon shelters as early as they can and secure their vessels.

They may also have to dock small boats on land, he added, to prevent them from getting blown away by strong winds.