Channel NewsAsia 8 Oct 11;
SINGAPORE: Environment and Water Resources Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, said he's confident that with intelligent use of technology and a more informed public, the flood problem can be resolved.
He said this when asked about the flood control preparations ahead of the wet season in December. He also said all agencies are on alert.
An expert panel had on Thursday recommended that Singapore review its drainage system, which it felt was not adequate to cope with increasingly intense rainfall. It had also pushed for a more sophisticated monitoring system.
The final report is due in January.
Dr Balakrishnan told reporters he broadly agrees with their views, saying they'll provide the impetus for water agency PUB to redesign the entire water system.
Possible measures include improving drains and increasing the amount of rain water absorbed into the ground.
As a start, the ministry will increase the number of sensors and provide real-time information to the public and to PUB.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "December is time for stress test for our system and I can assure the public that we will keep people fully appraised of the situation. (We will) do our best to deal with what nature throws at us.
"At the end of the day, this is nature. We have to adapt, we have to find ways to deal with nature, we cannot control nature."
- CNA/ck
Singapore on alert for floods: Vivian
Channel NewsAsia Today Online 9 Oct 11;
SINGAPORE - Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is confident that, with intelligent use of technology and a more informed public, the flood problem can be resolved.
He said this when asked about the flood control preparations ahead of the wet season in December. He also said all agencies are on alert.
An expert panel had on Thursday recommended that Singapore review its drainage system, which it felt was not adequate to cope with increasingly intense rainfall. It had also pushed for a more sophisticated monitoring system. The expert panel's final report is due in January.
Dr Balakrishnan told reporters yesterday he broadly agreed with their views, saying they will provide the impetus for national water agency PUB to redesign the entire water system.
Possible measures include improving drains and increasing the amount of rainwater absorbed into the ground. As a start, the ministry will increase the number of sensors and provide real-time information to the public and to PUB.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "December is the time for stress testing our system and ... we will keep people fully apprised of the situation, do our best to deal with what nature throws at us. At the end of the day, this is nature. We have to adapt ... we cannot control nature."
