Heavy rains have done quite a bit of damage to Singapore this year, causing traffic disruptions, overflowing canals, damaged walls and, of course, business losses. According to national water agency PUB, flash floods have occurred on 12 days so far in 2017, as compared to 10 in 2016 and six in 2015.
Singapore usually gets an average annual rainfall of about 2,330mm, but during the Northeast Monsoon season — which lasts from December to March — the average monthly rainfall for December can go up to 318.6mm. That’s a lot higher than the combined average of 161.3mm over the drier months of the year, a spokesperson from the Meteorological Service Singapore explained.
TODAY noted that floods in Singapore typically reach less than 30cm in height and subside in about half an hour. But if you’re residing or working in low-lying, flood-prone areas such as Lorong Buangkok, Jalan Seaview off Mountbatten Road, Tanjong Katong Road South, Upper Thomson Road, or Jervois Road near Alexandra Canal, you should be aware of the risks of flash floods during a heavy downpour.
PUB officers have been issuing flood advisories to more than 600 businesses and residents in such areas since last month, informing them of CCTV footage of road conditions that are available for the public to monitor flood conditions or road situations. PUB has 208 sensors in major drains and canals to offer real-time data on water levels as well.
The authority also revealed at a media briefing on Monday that it has conducted more checks on construction sites, especially those that have works at major canals, to make sure the canals are functioning well. Inspections will also be carried out more frequently at 100 smaller worksites near drains and canals, and there will be checks at road tunnels with pumped drainage systems, such as the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE), Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE), and the Central Expressway (CTE).
As for the businesses along Upper Thomson Road — which suffered bad losses after a flash flood hit the area and damaged their supplies just this January — owners remain optimistic about the situation, with the Land Transport Authority taking action to raise the drainage capacity there.
Even the shopping stretch of Orchard Road is arming itself against flash floods — especially the shops in the basement levels. For example, Forum The Shopping Mall has flood barriers at its entrance that can be quickly installed during heavy rains.
Reader Interactions