PUB lists 48 flood-prone areas and 55 hotspots

LINETTE LAI Straits Times 19 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE - With more wet days ahead, it is probably a good idea to keep an eye on flood-prone areas in your neighbourhood by referring to national water agency PUB's website.

Currently, the website lists 48 flood-prone areas and 55 hotspots.

The flood-prone areas refer to low-lying places with a history of flooding, while hotspots are areas that are not low-lying but have experienced flash floods.

PUB on its website said that it has reduced flood prone areas in Singapore from about 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to 36 hectares today,

Flood-prone areas include Arab Street, Stevens Road/Balmoral Road and Margaret Drive/Tanglin Road while hotspots include Orchard Road/Cuscaden Road junction, Craig Road/Tanjong Pagar junction and Lorong Ah Soo.

Pedestrians caught in a flash flood should move to higher ground and stay alert for open drains, advised the PUB. If motorists find floodwaters rising around their vehicles, they should abandon them and also seek higher ground.

The PUB's map of flood-prone areas can be viewed here: www.pub.gov.sg/managingflashfloods/fpa/Pages/default.aspx

More thundery showers likely over next two months
Audrey Tan The Straits Times AsiaOne 19 Nov 14;

MONDAY'S flash floods may not be the last to blight Singapore this year.

The Meteorological Service Singapore warned yesterday that short, moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected to become a regular occurrence during afternoons and evenings over the next two months as the annual north-east monsoon season takes hold.

They could even lead to floods such as the one in Kovan on Monday afternoon, when intense rain caused water from the canal to overflow into residential areas, trapping parked cars, causing power shutdowns and flooding homes.

The first half of this month has already been wetter than usual, with 188mm of rainfall recorded so far - and the meteorological service said it will only get wetter.

Rainfall this month and the next is expected to be about 20 per cent above the long-term average of 257mm and 288mm respectively.

The north-east monsoon season usually lasts from late November to January. It is expected to cause two to four monsoon surges - periods of occasionally windy conditions, cooler temperatures and prolonged and widespread moderate to heavy rain lasting between two and five days.

"In preparation for the upcoming north-east monsoon, PUB, the national water agency, (is working) closely with the National Environment Agency... to ensure that our drains remain free flowing," both agencies said in a statement yesterday.

It added that PUB officers will remind construction sites to conduct checks on nearby public drains. They will also inspect 100 major worksites to ensure that nearby drains are in order.

Meanwhile, the Singapore Contractors Association will send out circulars to its 3,000-plus members advising them to work closely with the authorities.

The PUB said it will also monitor its 171 water-level sensors in major drains and canals, and its network of 161 closed-circuit television cameras to enable quick response during heavy storms. It plans to increase the number of water-level sensors to 200 by the first quarter of next year. Last month, PUB officers also distributed advisories containing flood precaution tips - such as storing items on higher ground or using sandbags or flood boards - to 500 residents and shop owners in low-lying areas.

Areas which have previously experienced flash floods have already put safeguards in place.

Singapore Polytechnic has taken measures including the installation of flood walls and warning sensors after floods disrupted classes in February last year.

Liat Towers, which was deluged by waist-high water in 2010, has installed six water pumps and erected flood barriers, among other measures.

Civil servant Dawn Koh, 22, said her Opera Estate backyard floods every time it rains heavily.

Her family has installed non-slip tiles, covered furniture with plastic and piled up sandbags. She said: "The drainage system in the neighbourhood is not very good and we get flooded often."

More rainy days ahead in Singapore
Today Online 18 nov 14;

SINGAPORE — Expect more rainy days ahead, with the onset of the Northeast Monsoon later this month, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS).

Already, rainfall in the first half of this month has been higher than usual and rainfall for the rest of the month and next month is also expected to be about the 20 per cent above the long-term average of 256.6mm and 288.4mm, respectively.

The MSS will issue warnings when heavy rain or prolonged monsoon rain is expected on top of regular weather forecasts. Heavy rains coinciding with high tides could lead to localised flash floods in low-lying areas. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has advised the public to exercise caution during the Northeast Monsoon season.

Typically, the Northeast Monsoon comprises a wet phase between late November and January, followed by a drier phase in February. The wet phase has moderate to heavy thundery showers that are short duration, and occur mainly in the afternoon and evening. There are also two to four monsoon surges — where northeasterly winds blowing from the South China Sea bring in prolonged rain periods, windy conditions and cooler temperatures — lasting between two and five days.

The NEA said it will be working with PUB, the national water agency, to ensure that drains remain free-flowing. The PUB will be inspecting close to 100 major construction sites to ensure that drains around the sites are free of debris, and reminding the construction industry to conduct checks on public drains in the vicinity of their worksites.

PUB will also continue to monitor road conditions in low-lying areas and hotspots through its network of 161 close circuit television (CCTV) cameras. PUB’s water level sensors, installed in major drains and canals, have been increased from 158 to 171 this year and help enable quick response in the event of a flood. PUB added it plans to increase the number of sensors to 200 by the first quarter of next year.

The public can receive the latest weather reports via www.nea.gov.sg, the MyENV mobile app, the radio traffic watch broadcast or the MSS’s weather forecast hotline (65427788).

PUB will also be releasing flood alerts via Facebook, Twitter, the MyWaters app and via electronic signage on roads. Members of the public can also call PUB at 1800-2846600 to report on any flood situation or NEA at 1800-6003333 to report choked drains.

Get set for a wetter holiday season
SIAU MING EN Today Online 19 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE — Expect more rainy days ahead with the onset of the North-east Monsoon later this month, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said yesterday.

The first half of this month has been wetter than usual, and rainfall for November and December is expected to be about 20 per cent above the long-term average of 256.6mm and 288.4mm respectively.

“Heavy rain coinciding with high tides could lead to localised flash floods in low-lying areas,” the MSS said in a joint statement with PUB, the national water agency.

In preparation for the wetter season, PUB is working closely with the National Environment Agency’s Department of Public Cleanliness to ensure that drains remain free-flowing.

Apart from reminding contractors to conduct checks on public drains near their construction sites, PUB is also inspecting some 100 major worksites to ensure that the drains around them are free of debris and smooth-flowing.

The construction sites include infrastructure developments, such as MRT stations and roads, and building projects, such as HDB flats and condominiums, belonging to a mix of public agencies and private developers, PUB said.

PUB has also increased the number of water-level sensors from 158 last year to 171 this year, and there will 200 sensors by the first quarter of next year. The sensors are installed in major drains and canals, providing real-time data on water levels and helping to improve PUB’s live monitoring of site conditions during heavy storms.

“Some of the areas where new water-level sensors will be located are Woodlands Road/Mandai Road, Lorong Ong Lye and Balestier Road. These are areas where flash floods have previously occurred,” the water agency told TODAY.

On Monday, heavy downpour across Singapore caused certain areas, including the basement car park of a Tampines condominium, to be flooded. Flash floods were also reported at Lorong Gambir, Lorong Ong Lye, Hougang Ave 1 and MacPherson Road.

As the Republic braces itself for more brolly days for the rest of the year, the meteorological service says it will issue warnings when heavy rain or prolonged monsoon rain is expected.