Limited space for run-offs for canals, says MM Lee
Jeremy Au Yong Straits Times 22 Jul 10;
THE Government's best efforts are no match for Mother Nature.
That was Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's take yesterday, as he said that little could have been done to avoid flooding after the recent bouts of 'extraordinary rainfall'.
Asked if he thought the Government's response to the flooding had been sufficient, he replied: 'How can you say the response is sufficient?
'But at the same time, whatever we do, when we get extraordinary rainfall like we had recently, no amount of engineering can prevent flooding.
'There is a limited amount of space that you can dig underground, limited amount of space that you can have run-offs for canals.'
He was speaking to reporters after visiting a development project along the Kolam Ayer section of the Kallang River.
The remarks were his first since three floods hit Singapore in the past month, and two days after a 45-minute session in Parliament which saw several MPs raising questions.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim had told MPs that flood-prone areas in Singapore had been reduced from 3,178ha in the 1970s to 66ha today.
Despite that improvement, Mr Lee noted yesterday, Singaporeans would always expect more.
'Of course, Singaporeans expect everything to be perfect - which we try to do, but there are some things which are beyond (that).
'It is (an) act of God. Unless you want to lose half the roads and have canals,' he said.
He dismissed the notion that the Government might have neglected the country's drainage systems as it focused on issues like the economy.
'The living environment needs to be improved. The economy must be good, and society must be safe so that people can live happily and peacefully. It is not just one issue; all the issues have to be well taken care of,' he said.
During his visit to Kolam Ayer, Mr Lee was shown a section of the Kallang River redeveloped under the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme, which aims to freshen up Singapore's reservoirs and rivers and turn them into recreational spaces.
He also visited The River Vista@Kallang, a new cluster of Housing Board (HDB) flats built on the banks of the river.
Dr Yaacob hosted the visit, with officials from HDB, National Parks Board and national water agency PUB also present.
Separately yesterday, PUB and the National Environment Agency said in a statement that they had begun engaging people affected by last weekend's flash floods.
The PUB said it met affected residents and businesses, advised them on ways to protect their premises and provided them with sandbags as a temporary protection measure.
It also advised building owners on permanent measures they could take to keep flood waters out.
The management of Lucky Plaza at Orchard Road has already engaged an architect to install such measures.
PUB officials will continue to meet MPs and grassroots leaders to see what further assistance to provide.
In Joo Chiat and Whampoa, residents hit by floods have told their MPs they want the PUB to give them practical suggestions on how to protect themselves and their property against the next flood.
That would be useful while awaiting improvements to drains, canals and other infrastructure announced in Parliament on Monday.
'There is no doubt that all this is being done in great earnest,' said Jalan Besar GRC MP Heng Chee How, referring to the upgrading coming up.
'But from the perspective of those affected, they just want to know what practical measures they can take to reduce the risk.'
In his ward, about 50 homes were flooded last Saturday. The Jalan Besar Town Council has been helping some residents to pump water out of their terrace houses.
Like Mr Heng, MPs Chan Soo Sen (Joo Chiat) and Hri Kumar Nair (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) said they want to organise dialogues with PUB for flood-affected residents.
'I would like the PUB to tell residents what happened in Joo Chiat, will it happen again, what the PUB will be doing, and what measures residents can take to minimise damage next time,' said Mr Chan, who plans to hold a dialogue this weekend.
Marine Parade GRC MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim has set up a flood task force comprising about 15 grassroots leaders, residents and shop owners.
Ten of them will act as a watch group. When heavy rain or flood occurs, they will send out warnings by SMS and spread the word so that residents will know to avoid the area.
Said Dr Faishal: 'I am very fortunate that the residents have responded so positively. Instead of throwing tantrums, they have tried to solve the problem together.'
Additional reporting by Andrea Ong
MM Lee says no amount of engineering can prevent flooding
S Ramesh Channel NewsAsia 21 Jul 10;
SINGAPORE : Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said no amount of engineering can prevent flooding.
He was speaking to reporters after touring the waterfront development at the Kallang and Kolam Ayer areas.
The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme is a long-term initiative which transforms Singapore's reservoirs and waterways into vibrant, aesthetically-pleasing rivers and lakes.
Mr Lee was given an update on the developments in the area which included a 250-metre stretch of the Kallang River.
But the river's condition caught Mr Lee's attention.
He said: "The pity is with the recent rains, the water is a bit murky. But if we can find some way to prevent the silt from getting into the river, it will be bluer and cleaner at most times. You have to wait for two days (with) no rain for the silt to settle."
"But it is very beautiful. It adds to the ambience of the whole place, rather than have a dirty river, no broad walks. It shows a well cultivated and well-tended river side."
Mr Lee was asked if he thought the response from the various agencies to the recent spate of floods in Singapore was sufficient.
He replied: "How can you say that the response is sufficient? At the same time, whatever we do when we get extraordinary rains like we had recently, no amount of engineering can prevent flooding.
"There's a limited amount of space that's been dug underground, limited amount of space you can run off for canals and if you have an extraordinary rainfall, well you got to prepare for it."
Singaporeans have reacted strongly to the last three incidents of floods in different parts of the country.
The Minister Mentor acknowledged that Singapore and Singaporeans expect everything to be perfect in the country and he said the leaders tried their best to do just that.
Mr Lee added: "Somethings are beyond (that); it's an act of God unless you want to lose half the roads and have canals."
Today's visit also gave Mr Lee a glimpse of some activities like kayaking that take place along the Kallang River.
Mr Lee was accompanied by the Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim and grassroots leaders.
- CNA/al
Surely there's a way?
Letter to Today Online 23 Jul 10;
Singapore has always overcome the odds - why not a flooding problem?
Letter from James Ang
I refer to the article "No way to prevent floods: MM Lee" (June 22). Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said that "whatever we do when we get extraordinary rains like we had recently, no amount of engineering can prevent flooding".
With all due respect to Mr Lee, his remark is disappointing, coming from an inspirational leader who has taken a 600-sq-km island with squatters and swamps to a 700-sq-km First World nation with an unmatched infrastructure in this region.
I was expecting a "never-say-die" attitude, challenging PUB's engineers to come up with an innovative solution.
The official cause of the floods has changed from a "once-in-50 years" event, to a culvert in Tanglin, to a by-product of Typhoon Conson, to the Stamford canal - and I am not confident if PUB has really nailed the root cause or causes to be able to develop a holistic solution.
Mr Lee's view also seems in contrast to the PUB CEO's statement that the flood in Orchard Road was "unacceptable".
Singapore has overcome so many insurmountable obstacles over the years. Citizens have always backed the authorities when a tough but practical decision has to be made to solve a problem, and I expect more challenges ahead - but a defeatist attitude is surely not the way forward.
A solution above ground?
Letter from Dr Huen Yeong Kong
As a retired engineer, I think it is premature to announce that there is no engineering solution to the repeated flooding problems.
It is true we have no space at ground level to widen all the drains. But a well designed, above-ground canal network would intercept at least 25 per cent of the heavy downpour and save Singapore from most flooding.
Yes, it is expensive, but it is not impossible because these superstructures would also support solar panels and provide shade that would save air-conditioning energy cost. This is a win-win situation, so why have our civil engineers not pointed this out?
Pumps and water tanks
Letter from Gilbert Tan Hee Khian
The MRT line and many new commercial buildings and high-rise apartments in and around Orchard Road have reduced much of the land surface and underground area for water to run off.
To address this, new developments could be required to build storm drains beneath the buildings, with mechanised devices to pump water in the event of heavy rainstorms. Additional water tanks can be constructed in between or on top of buildings to alleviate flooding; water from the tanks can be released in a coordinated manner when the storm blows over.
