Singapore (VNA) – Singapore is broadening its strategy to address localised flooding, focusing on social resilience alongside continued investment in drainage infrastructure, according to Ong Tze-Ch’in, CEO of the Public Utilities Board (PUB).
Ong noted that it is impossible to prevent all flooding, especially during the northeast monsoon season when heavy rainfall is intensified by climate change. Recent events, such as floods in Jalan Seaview, Mountbatten, lasting nearly three hours, demonstrate that flooding can now persist longer than the previously typical one-hour events.
Singapore’s Third National Climate Change Study shows that global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall. Ong emphasised the importance of public awareness campaigns to ensure residents and businesses are prepared, noting that effective climate response requires participation from the entire society.
The government continues to invest heavily in drainage infrastructure. In the current fiscal year, 150 million USD (about 39 million USD) has been allocated to system upgrades. New facilities, such as the Syed Alwi pumping station in Jalan Besar, feature underground tanks that divert water from the Rochor Canal during heavy rainfall to prevent flooding.
In addition to state efforts, PUB encourages residents and businesses to monitor forecasts and avoid flood-prone areas. Public awareness campaigns launched in 2024 are ongoing, including testing innovative methods such as using mobile network signals to estimate rainfall intensity. PUB plans to integrate flood alerts with Google Maps and add 650 water-level sensors by 2028 to enhance early warning systems./.
