PUB steps up progress of flood alleviation projects

Channel NewsAsia 12 Dec 07;

SINGAPORE: As heavy rainfall is expected this month, PUB has stepped up the progress of its projects to prevent flooding.

It says at least eight of such projects will be completed this month.

Joan Road, off Thomson Road, is one area that is prone to flooding – that is why it is one of the locations where the PUB project is being carried out.

The works involve widening and deepening the existing drain to improve water flow.

Other locations for such projects include the junction of Mountbatten Road and Tanjong Katong Road, as well as Maple Avenue in the Bukit Timah area.

Ongoing works are also located at the junction of Cuscaden Road and Tomlinson Road, Kramat Lane, Bedok North Avenue 3, Commonwealth Avenue and Sims Avenue.

The biggest flood alleviation project is at the Marina Barrage. PUB says it will alleviate flash floods in the low-lying city areas when it is completed in mid-2008.

About 100 of PUB's staff and contractors are on high alert this monsoon season to make sure there are no blockages in drains that could affect water flow.

In the last 30 years, PUB has invested more than S$2 billion on drainage improvement works.- CNA/so

Flood-combat works near end
Today Online 13 Dec 07;

IN anticipation of the intense and heavy rainfall expected this month, the Public Utilities Board has been putting its flood alleviation projects into high gear.

At least eight such projects will be completed or are close to completion this month. These are at Bedok North Avenue 3, Maple Avenue in Bukit Timah, the junction of Cuscaden Road and Tomlinson Road, Kramat Lane, the junction of Mountbatten Road and Tanjong Katong Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Joan Road and Sims Avenue.

"We have a five-year drain-age construction programme but many projects were brought forward to alleviate flash floods in localised spots," said Mr Yap Kheng Guan, PUB's director of drainage.

PUB staff and contractors have been put on high alert to inspect drains and ensure there are no blockages. Said senior technical officer Thia Soon Swee: "We have often pulled out rags, styrofoam boxes and all sorts of rubbish from choked drains."

In the last 30 years, the PUB has invested more than $2 billion on drainage improvement. As a result, flood-prone areas have been reduced from 3,200ha in the 1970s to 124ha today. With the completion of the Marina Barrage by the middle of next year, this will be further reduced to less than 100ha, said the PUB.

Be ready for floods, it's going to be a wet Christmas
David Boey, Straits Times 13 Dec 07;

HAVE your umbrella close at hand, from now till year's end.

The forecast is a wet spell for the next two days, with possible flash floods soaking low-lying areas.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) and PUB, the national water agency, also red-flagged a flood risk for Christmas week, should rain again coincide with high tides.

Afternoon and evening showers with thunder, heavy at times, are expected today and tomorrow.

The two agencies said in a joint statement yesterday that a double whammy of 3m-high tides and heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods today and tomorrow.

Some 100 PUB staff and contractors are now on 'high alert', keeping their eyes peeled to ensure drains are not blocked by rubbish.

'Blockages in drains are the most common cause of localised flash floods,' said PUB senior technical officer Thia Soon Swee, 59. 'We have often pulled out rags, styrofoam boxes and all sorts of rubbish from choked drains.'

On the PUB and NEA's watchlist are low-lying areas in:

# Chinatown, including the area near UOB Plaza and shophouses around Mosque Street, South Bridge Road, Upper Pickering Street and Trengganu Street.

# Residential areas in Tanjong Katong, including Dakota Crescent, Dunman Road, Fort Road, Meyer Place, Mountbatten Road, Rose Lane and Stadium Road.

# Streets in Geylang, from Lorongs 26 to 32, Lorongs 4 to 22, Lorongs 101 to 106, Changi Road and Langsat Road.

Other areas cited include roads between Kitchener Road and Weld Road, as well as Lorong Buangkok.

The PUB said over 600 homes and businesses have been alerted. 'Motorists travelling along roads in low-lying areas are also advised to exercise caution if floods occur,' it added.

The Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) is girding its tow trucks for a busy spell to rescue stalled vehicles involved in traffic accidents on wet roads.

The AAS's tow truck drivers have already seen their daily workload climb from the usual 60 calls to 68 in the past week because of the showers.

The NEA said heavy showers this month are typical of the north-east monsoon, which blows moisture-laden clouds into the region from the South China Sea between November and January.

Last December, 765.9mm of rain drenched Singapore - the wettest on record. In the first 12 days of this month alone, 351mm of rain have fallen on the island.

Far East Flora, a florist near MacRitchie Reservoir hit hard by last December's deluge, is not taking any chances.

Senior manager Sarah Yong said staff have pre-positioned some 100 sand bags to dam up the premises.

Last year, waist-deep floodwaters destroyed 'a few hundred hampers' and Christmas trees during the company's busiest period.

'All retail staff and florists have been briefed to watch out for floods,' she said.

Flood relief
Straits Times 13 Dec 07;

Singapore's national water agency, PUB, expects to have eight flood management projects finished or nearly completed this month. Work has been pushed into high gear ahead of the heavy monsoon rains. 'We have a five-year drainage construction programme, but many of these had been brought forward to alleviate flash floods in localised spots,' said Mr Yap Kheng Guan, PUB's director of drainage.

Location: Commonwealth Avenue

Flood relief: Work on a $12.8-million canal is 85 per cent done. Despite this month's intense rain, the area has remained flood-free.

Location: Maple Avenue in Bukit Timah

Flood relief: Improvements to drainage system completed last month.

Location: Junction of Cuscaden Road and Tomlinson Road

Flood relief: Work on raising road level to be completed this month. Wider drain being built.

Location: Kramat Lane in Orchard Road area

Flood relief: Work on raising the road level, widening and deepening existing drains to be completed this month

Location: Bedok North Avenue 3

Flood relief: Roadside drains widened. Holes added to speed up drainage of water from the road.

Location: Junction of Mountbatten Road and Tanjong Katong Road

Flood relief: Drainage work will be completed this month.

Location: Joan Road, Caldecott Hill valley

Flood relief: Existing drain in the low-lying valley area being deepened and widened to double its capacity.

Location: Sims Avenue

Flood relief: Larger drain being built. Temporary pump diverts water to larger drain.

Flood alleviation projects completed or close to completion this month
Channel NewsAsia 13 Dec 07;

SINGAPORE: At least eight flood alleviation projects are being completed or close to completion this month.

The works are in anticipation of the intense and heavy rainfall expected in December.

At the junction of Cuscaden Road and Tomlinson Road, the long-term solution is to raise the road level to prevent water from collecting.

The PUB said the works there will be completed this month and a wider drain is also being constructed.

On Commonwealth Avenue, construction work on a canal is now 85 per cent complete.

The other flood alleviation projects are at Joan Road, Kramat Lane, Sims Avenue, Bedok North Avenue 3, the junction of Mountbatten Road and Tanjong Katong Road, and Maple Avenue in Bukit Timah. - CNA/ac