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PUB explains flash floods

The extent of the floods caused by heavy and intensive rainfall on Sunday morning caught the authorities by surprise.

National water agency PUB explained that the flash floods were caused by two bouts of heavy rainfall.

The first started slightly past 6am, and second downpour, which was more intense, occurred at about 10.30am.

About 65mm of rainfall was recorded within 30 minutes.

This was worse than the one on
June 16 last year, which had 100mm of rainfall within two hours.

PUB held a news conference on Sunday afternoon, saying it had mobilised staff and contractors to the flooded sites once it received alerts of heavy rain.

PUB also deployed tankers to affected areas to pump out the water from carparks located in basements of buildings.

PUB chief executive Khoo Teng Chye said he is studying some possible solutions to prevent future occurrences.

"These include, possibly, building a big retention pond near where we can then trap some of the peak flows," Mr Khoo said. 

"The other alternative is to really create a diversion canal from where this pond is to the Singapore River. 

"But given Singapore's built-up situation, these are very, very expensive schemes."

Minister for the Environmental and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan inspected the flood areas at Tanglin Mall.

Speaking to reporters later, Dr Balakrishnan outlined five key areas he would focus on, to deal with the flood situation.

First is the presumption that weather patterns in Singapore has changed.

"Personally, I think our weather has changed. I'm actually psychologically prepared for it to get worse," Dr Balakrishnan said.

"You're reading with nature and you're dealing with the weather; you have to be prepared that there is a limit to human engineering and what we can deliver. 

"But having said that, let us make sure we have done the best we can and within those limits, then cope with whatever else that nature throws at us." 

Dr Balakrishnan said because of the changing weather conditions, his ministry will need to review planing norms, which includes designing of drainage systems.

He added his priority now is to maintain safety along drains and to ensure roads are passable even during heavy rainfall.

Dr Balakrishnan said he also intends to ensure buildings are better prepared to cope with the occurrence of floods.

17:20 | |

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