Channel NewsAsia 27 Nov 18;
SINGAPORE: PUB will take action against a construction firm for failing to maintain the drainage on one of its construction sites, leading to flash floods in Geylang on Nov 11, the national water agency said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 27).
The floods affected Geylang Lorong 23 and the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) slip road to the Pan-Island Expressway (towards Changi).
"Enforcement action" will be taken against construction contractor, Straits Construction Singapore (SCS), for the lack of proper maintenance of the drainage system within their site, PUB added.
Stormwater collected at drains along Geylang Lorong 23 flows through Sims Place and Sims Drive, and into a drain at the KPE slip road, before being discharged into Pelton Canal through a pipe drain.
The 1.2m-wide pipe drain, which runs through the construction site, was found to be choked, PUB investigations concluded.
"SCS is required to take proper measures to maintain the flow capacity of this pipe drain as construction is underway," the statement said.
All developers and contractors of work sites are to "ensure that drains within their development sites are free of silt, debris, litter and leaves will not hesitate to take actions against those who fail to comply", PUB added.
"PUB will not hesitate to take actions against those who fail to comply."
Source: CNA/jt(hm)
PUB to take action against Straits Construction for causing flash floods in Geylang on Nov 11
Ng Huiwen Straits Times 27 Nov 18;
SINGAPORE - National water agency PUB will be taking action against Straits Construction Singapore (SCS) for lapses in drainage maintenance, which resulted in flash floods in Geylang earlier this month.
Parts of Lorong 23 Geylang and the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) slip road to the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) were hit by flash floods following heavy rainfall on Nov 11.
In a statement on Tuesday (Nov 27), PUB said that the construction contractor had failed to take proper measures to maintain the flow capacity of a pipe drain linking Lorong 23 Geylang to the Pelton Canal.
PUB's investigations found that the 1.2m-wide pipe drain passing through the construction site of an international school, which is operated by SCS, was choked.
Storm water was not able to flow into the Pelton Canal, resulting in flooding at the KPE slip road and Lorong 23 Geylang.
PUB said that the storm water collected in the roadside drain in Lorong 23 Geylang is first discharged into a downstream drain at the KPE slip road, before it empties into the Pelton Canal.
This drain runs along Lorong 23 Geylang, Sims Place and Sims Drive before joining up to a culvert that crosses below PIE (including the KPE slip road to PIE towards Changi).
The culvert then joins the pipe drain that runs through the international school construction site.
PUB said it will be taking enforcement action against SCS for the lack of proper maintenance of the drainage system within its site.
"Storm water flows into roadside drains, canals/tributaries and rivers and eventually out to sea or into reservoirs. It is thus important to keep our drains free-flowing," the statement said.
The agency also reminded worksite developers and contractors to take active measures to ensure that drains within their development sites are free of silt, debris, litter and leaves so that these work well.
"PUB will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to comply," the statement said.
