Angelina Dass AsiaOne 5 Jun 11;
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources considers today's flash floods worse than those that happened at Orchard Road in June 2010.
He said that it "can be safely presumed that the weather patterns in Singapore have changed" and that rainfall may get worse in the future.
"It is very likely that our drainage systems will have to be redesigned to cope with such intense flashes."
He was speaking to the media on June 5, Sunday about the weather and flash floods that occurred this morning.
A total of 124mm of rain fell over central areas of Singapore - this is equivalent to 77 per cent of the amount of rainfall that usually falls in the month of June.
This rainfall was more intense than June last year, with about 65mm recorded within 30 minutes Sunday morning, compared to the 100mm within 2 hours on June 16, 2010.
Mr Khoo Teng Chye, Chief Executive of PUB, said that while Orchard Road did not experience similar flooding as last year, some buildings were still affected.
Mr Khoo, who was also present at the media briefing, said there was flooding at the junction of Napier Road and Tanglin Mall.
"This is something we have not seen in at least 25 years and because of the flooding there, Tanglin mall was badly affected."
Flood waters reached up to a height of 100mm and subsided within 30 minutes.
Other affected buildings in Orchard Road include Delfi Orchard, Forum Galleria, Liat Towers, Orchard Towers and St Regis Residences.
Minister Balakrishnan, who visited Tanglin Mall and other affected buildings in Orchard Road, said that all affected buildings except Tanglin Mall were back in business by 5pm Sunday evening.
People's safety top priority, says Vivian
Straits Times 6 Jun 11;
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan toured flood-hit areas such as Tanglin Mall and spoke at a press conference yesterday. This is an edited transcript of his comments:
'I WANT to make points in five areas: One, has the weather changed? Two, do our planning norms need to be modified? Three, safety. Four, roads, and five, buildings.
The first question, has the weather changed? This is not an easy question to answer from a scientific point of view. It will require long-term analysis but, as far as the operational aspect goes, we can't wait for the answer to be finalised.
But as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to work on the presumption that our weather has changed.
A related question is, what is the likely outcome for the future? With global warming, we can expect higher evaporation and precipitation, especially in the tropics. So we have to assume that, in fact, it may get worse in future.
I think our planning norms have served us well for at least three decades. And that's why... we have the luxury of largely having been flood-free for the last three decades. That's a remarkable achievement for which the PUB deserves full credit.
But we're now at a point where we must review all our planning norms, taking into account the very high probability that our weather patterns have changed.
If we're going to expect sudden and intense precipitation, then it's very likely our drainage systems must be redesigned to cope with such intense pressures.
That's a technical and engineering issue, and we need to give the experts the resources and time to generate the planning norms.
But while this is going on, we do not have the luxury of taking measurements and making plans when safety is compromised.
It's why PUB has embarked on a comprehensive check of all flood-prone areas, focusing on human safety. Where railings need to be put up, we'll put them up. Where drains have to be covered, we'll cover them up. We'll also take feedback from the public on areas which they feel require work in order to secure safety, so let's make no compromises where this is concerned.
Four, making sure that wherever possible, roads remain passable, even in a storm: This is something the LTA and PUB need to work closely together on. Where necessary and possible, road platform levels need to be raised.
Five, buildings: It's further work for PUB, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and building owners to further flood-proof their buildings where possible. There're some platform levels, thresholds that have to be designed or retrofitted; the sooner we get on with this, the better.
Personally, I believe the weather has changed, and I'm psychologically prepared for it to get worse, so you can rest assured it'll be fairly high up on my list of priorities.
What would you say is the key priority, in the short term and in the long term?
Safety is No. 1. Two, keeping the roads clear and running and, three, keeping the buildings secure, to ensure they are able to cope, to prevent floods from occurring and if they do happen, to have the assistance of PUB to cope and restore their businesses as soon as possible.
The longer-term solutions lie in engineering, understanding our weather patterns and reviewing planning norms so our drainage systems can cope.
Are Singaporeans prepared for the worst-case scenario?
We're dealing with nature...and there's a limit to human engineering and what we can deliver. Having said that, we must make sure we have done the best we can. Singaporeans need to be psychologically prepared. It's our job and PUB's to make sure Singaporeans are psychologically prepared by giving them all the information.
We'll be completely transparent.
Minister, you mentioned improvements in the building codes.
This is something that the BCA and PUB will have to study. I'm not an engineer, so I'll take advice on a professional level.
If, for instance, we detect that there are clear trends that different areas have a different risk profile, then we may need to have different approaches or different planning codes for the different areas.
I don't want to jump the gun. I'm just saying that I'm keeping an open mind on this. And we'll take a practical, risk-based approach to this, knowing full well that we don't know all the variables, and are not able to guarantee all the outcomes.
Minister Balakrishnan outlines five key areas to deal with flooding
Saifulbahri Ismail Today Online 6 Jun 11;
SINGAPORE - Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday outlined five key areas that he will focus on in dealing with floods in Singapore.
Speaking at a news conference after inspecting the flooded areas at Tanglin Mall, Dr Balakrishnan said one of his priorities now is to ensure safety is maintained along drains.
Dr Balakrishnan stressed there's no compromising safety. He said railings will be installed where needed and drains covered in the short term so that no one gets hurt.
On Wednesday, a 15-year-old teenager drowned when he fell into an uncovered drain swollen with floodwaters in Balestier.
Said Dr Balakrishnan: "Personally I think our weather has changed. I'm actually psychologically prepared for it to get worse. You're dealing 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 and 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 planning norms, which includes the designing of drainage systems.
He added another priority is to ensure that roads are passable even during heavy rainfall. He also intends to ensure that buildings are better prepared to cope with the occurrence of floods.
One building, Tessarina condominium, was affected during heavy rainfall last year. Its basement car park was flooded. The management has since made improvements like installing a flood barrier.
When the Bukit Timah canal overflowed yesterday, a siren was activated and residents were alerted so they could drive their cars out of the basement and the flood barrier was closed.
The chairman of Tessarina condominium management committee, Mr Leonard Yip, said they had lobbied the authorities to raise the nearby Wilby Road, which was done. They had also asked for improvements to Bukit Timah canal.
The Public Utilities Board (PUB) is currently carrying out drainage improvement works to the canal.
Work to deepen the canal will start by the end of this year and is expected to be completed by November next year.
Yesterday's floods in Bukit Timah Road hit the stretch from Blackmore to Maplewood Road, making some lanes impassable to traffic.
PUB chief executive Khoo Teng Chye said he is studying some solutions to prevent future occurrences. To alleviate flooding at Tanglin Mall, for example, a big retention pond could be built to trap some of the peak flows, with a diversion canal from this pond to the Singapore River.
"But given Singapore's built up situation, these are very, very expensive schemes," he said.
PUB explains flash floods
Saifulbahri Ismail Channel NewsAsia 5 Jun 11;
SINGAPORE: National water agency PUB explained that the flash floods on Sunday morning were caused by two bouts of heavy rainfall.
It said this at a news conference on Sunday afternoon, which was also attended by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan.
The first bout of rainfall 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 said 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."
Meanwhile, Dr Balakrishnan outlined five key areas that he would focus on, in dealing with floods in Singapore.
Speaking after inspecting the flood areas at Tanglin Mall, Dr Balakrishnan said one of his priorities now is to ensure safety is maintained along drains.
Dr Balakrishnan stressed there's no compromising safety.
He said railings will be installed where needed, and drains covered in the short term so that no one gets hurt.
On Wednesday, a 15-year-old teenager died when he fell into an uncovered drain swollen with rainwater.
"Personally, I think our weather has changed. I'm actually psychologically prepared for it to get worse," Dr Balakrishnan said.
"You're dealing 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 planning norms, which includes designing of drainage systems.
He added another priority is to ensure roads are passable even during heavy rainfall.
He said he intends to ensure buildings are better prepared to cope with the occurrence of floods.
During heavy rainfall last year, the basement of Tessarina condominium was flooded.
The management there has since made improvements such as installing a flood barrier.
When the Bukit Timah canal flooded its banks on Sunday morning, the siren was activated and residents were alerted to drive their cars out of the basement, and the flood barrier was closed.
Tessarina Condominium management committee chairman Leonard Yip said: "The primary strategy for us was to lobby for improvements to the Bukit Timah canal and also for raising of Wilby Road.
"So, we believe that most of the problems will be solved".
At Bukit Timah Road, flash floods occurred at the stretch from Blackmore to Maplewood Road, making some lanes impassable to traffic earlier Sunday morning.
PUB is currently making drainage improvement works to the Bukit Timah canal.
Works to deepen the canal will start by the end of this year.
The project is expected to be fully completed by November 2012.
-CNA/wk
Government to review drainage after year's worst flood
Chua Hian Hou Straits Times 6 Jun 11;
THE Government is warning of possibly worse floods this week, even as it ponders the need to relook Singapore's drainage systems and building codes after intense rain caused heavy flooding yesterday.
The five hours of rain led to floods in the eastern and central areas, and inundated several floors of Tanglin Mall in Cuscaden Road.
Speaking after the year's worst flood so far, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said that all planning norms must be reviewed, 'taking into account the very high probability that our weather patterns have changed'.
'If we are going to expect sudden and intense precipitation, then it is very likely that our drainage systems must be redesigned to cope with such intense pressures,' he said.
The Government will also be looking at building codes, possibly requiring building owners to do more to flood-proof their buildings if they are located in a flood-prone area.
Meanwhile, national water agency PUB is embarking on an 'exhaustive and comprehensive check on all flood-prone areas focusing on human safety', he said.
'Where railings need to be put up, we will put up. Where drains have to be covered, we will cover,' said Dr Balakrishnan, who took over the portfolio almost three weeks ago.
Road levels, too, might have to be raised.
He said the Government will take feedback from the public in areas which they feel require work in order to secure safety, 'so let's make no compromises where this is concerned'.
He said: 'The weather reports for the next few days are that there are other storms coming, and they might be worse than this weekend. So we have to take this on board and maximise our preparations.'
While there were no deaths or injuries reported yesterday, the floods caused untold damage to retailers in several malls in town, especially Tanglin Mall.
Thousands of residents and motorists also had to contend with floods in areas such as MacPherson, Bukit Timah, Cuscaden Road and Orchard Road.
The floods come four days after a teenage Indonesian tourist died after he was swept away by an overflowing drain in the Balestier area following heavy rain.
The PUB said heavy and intense rain fell over the central and eastern parts of the island from 6.30am to 11.30am yesterday.
The rain in the east lasted till 10am and resulted in flash floods in MacPherson, which is a flood-prone area.
The downpour then moved to the central area and intensified from 10.10am to 11.30am. This led to flash floods in some parts of Orchard Road and Bukit Timah.
A total of 124mm of rainfall was recorded for the central area, about 77 per cent of the average monthly rainfall for June.
About 65mm was recorded within 30 minutes yesterday compared with 100mm within two hours on June 16 last year, which had led to serious flooding of Orchard Road.
PUB said Orchard Road did not experience similar floods yesterday as the road had been raised since last year's big flood.
PUB said it has an ongoing drainage improvement programme in flood-prone areas. It had also enhanced its flood-monitoring system by increasing the number of water level sensors in key canals and drains from 32 to 90 at the end of last year. This will be increased to 150 by the end of this year.
Tanglin Mall was the worst hit yesterday. Water rushed into the building at about 10.50am from the first floor which is at road level.
Within five minutes, water fell like a mini-waterfall onto Basement One, which houses a supermarket, food court and various shops. Shoppers found themselves in ankle-deep water.
'Someone was shouting 'run, run, run', so we all panicked, closed the shutters and ran out,' said Ms Cheryl Gan, owner of an aromatherapy store in Basement One.
Water then made its way down the ramps to Basement Two, Basement Three and Basement Four, which house the carparks.
In Basement Four, the water was nearly knee high. Some cars that were parked there were damaged and had to be towed away later.
At about 10.30pm last night, there were about 100 people still cleaning up and restoring services to the mall, said Ms Jenny Ng, its centre director.
Other buildings in the area, such as St Regis Residences, Forum Galleria, Delfi Orchard, Lucky Plaza and Liat Towers were also hit, although they saw less severe damage.
While most of the flooding was in the 'known hot spots' of Bukit Timah and MacPherson, the flooding near Tanglin Road - an area that had not seen floods in 25 years - took the PUB by surprise, said chief executive Khoo Teng Chye.
Asked if he thought Singapore's weather patterns had changed, Dr Balakrishnan said this would require long-term study.
But the Government is not going to wait for a definitive answer, he said, adding that 'personally I believe the weather has changed, and am psychologically prepared for it to get worse'.
One approach is to have different flood prevention requirements for buildings in different areas, depending on how flood-prone the area is, he said.
The PUB, said Mr Khoo, was also studying several ways to alleviate future flooding in the Tanglin area, including building a pond in the Botanic Gardens into which flood waters would drain, and building a canal to the Singapore River.
'But given the built-up situation and high cost of land, these are very expensive schemes so we are very carefully evaluating whether we should do this,' he said.
Additional reporting by Tham Yuen-C, Daryl Chin and Leow Si Wan
