PUB’s work comes under scrutiny
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The Public Utilities Board (PUB) will conduct more frequent checks on canals and install grates to prevent further recurrence of flash floods in Orchard Road.
Investigations from the PUB has revealed that yesterday’s flood in Orchard Road was caused by the build-up of debris stuck in a culvert of Stamford Canal.
The first heavy downpour of the morning carried debris and vegetation into the culvert the width of an SBS bus, triggering a chain of events that eventually caused the flash flood.
A second intense rainstorm that morning caused a canal to overflow and water to gush up to the surface of Orchard Rd, adding more water to the drains within a short period of time.
Worst-hit areas include the junction of Scotts Road and Orchard Road. Near the intersection in the low-lying area, shops at Liat Towers and the Lucky Plaza basement were flooded.
Director of PUB’s 3P (Public, Private and People) Network, Mr Yap Keng Guan, said the canals were last checked about three months ago and were not blocked prior to Wednesday’s storm.
He added that after combing the area for hours after the flooding had receded, PUB officers found a third of the culvert still blocked at 10pm that night.
To fix the problem, PUB will now conduct checks more often than every three months. It will also install grates in flood-prone areas to prevent debris from being swept into the drains.
PUB said it has already put in place a comprehensive system comprising litter traps, regular inspections and maintenance of drainage system to ensure that drains remain clear and free-flowing. More litter traps in the open sections of drains to trap debris carried into the drains during a downpour will also be installed.
PUB will also place water level sensors along Stamford Canal to enable closer monitoring of unusual peaks and dips in water levels and to enhance investigations. This is similar to a warning system already in place at Upper Bukit Timah where flood sensors will trigger SMS alerts to condominium managements it the water level reaches a certain height, so residents can move their cars and property to safety.
Ms Lee Bee Wah, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC and deputy chairman of the National Development and Environment Government Parliamentary Committees said the flooding was “a timely wake-up call” that more needs to be done to prevent a repeat occurence.
The day Orchard Road turned into ‘Orchard River’
Singaporeans reacted with shock after seeing photos and videos of Orchard Road being submerged under water by an early morning torrential downpour on Wednesday.
The heavy rain caused major flooding at the Ion Orchard and Scotts Road junction, making the roads impassable to traffic. The rain was especially heavy over the Orchard Road and Rochor Road area, which were submerged in floodwaters of up to half a metre deep. Several shops near Wheelock Place like fast food outlet Wendy’s and luxury retailer Hermes were completely underwater.
Almost 400 Yahoo! Fit-to-Post users reacted with surprise and dismay in the 3 hours since this post was published.
Some like user EHF wondered about the poor drainage facilities along Orchard Road. He said, “Basically, no proper drainage system to go along with rapid buildings being built (sic). Relevant authories need to really look into present drainage system.”
Another FTP user KenluckyL added, “We should not think it is a freak accident but is the concern of the bad reconstruction of road works after building of the new mall — ION. LTA should send its team of specialists and exert to re-inspect the road.”
Yet others like Galleon and Peter questioned if climate change was to blame for the freak heavy downpour.
Besides Orchard Road, other parts of Singapore, including Coronation Road West, Fourth Avenue, Kings Road, Kheam Hock Road and Veerasamy Road were also affected, bringing traffic to a crawl.
The National Environment Agency, in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, said almost 100 mm of rain fell within a two-hour period from about 9 am to 11 am. The Public Utilities Board also said the downpour accounted for over 60% of the total monthly rainfall for June.
IT specialist Ow Yong Hong, who was travelling along Orchard Road on SBS No. 65, witnessed first-hand the severe flooding.
He told Yahoo! Singapore: ”I’ve never seen such flooding along Orchard Road before. Some cars completely broke down at the junction between Lido and Orchard Road. Drivers were stuck inside and were helpless. The water level was so high it even seeped into my bus. Commuters who had to alight had to take off their shoes and roll up their trousers before getting off. People at the bus-stops were standing on the benches to avoid the water.”
Social networking and micro-blogging site Twitter was also awash with flood photos and Singaporeans tweeting about the flash floods.
Well-known blogger Mr Brown tweeted: “Someone call the Minister of Freak Incidents! Orchard Road flooding!” before posting a photo of a Lucky Plaza basement shop that was completely submerged.
Jovenaatheart tweeted:” It’s the Singaporean equivalent of a natural disaster.”
Yahoo! Singapore user Deb Siddiqi also commented, “I wouldn’t expect this to happen in Singapore, at the most famous road in town.”
(courtesy @peiwenl)
courtesy @Winnilicious
The PUB has advised the public to exercise caution as flash floods may still occur in the event of heavy storms. The cause of the flood along Orchard Road is still being investigated.
Kenny Goh on June 16, 2010 at 2:06 pm
OMG !~~
Vis on June 16, 2010 at 2:11 pm
drainage is 3rd world lor . not wide enough n deep enough for this kind of rain. NEA or PUB are outdated , all officals are sitting there n do nothing for the 21st century thinking. World is a hotter place n there bound to have more heavy rains n if NEA n PUB do not widen or deepen drainage then Citizen will see more losses to business n late for work .
muscaria10 on June 16, 2010 at 2:12 pm
holy smoke!
Give Up on June 16, 2010 at 2:13 pm
That is the end of the world. Play hard & enjoy the left over period. 2012 may come early.
Vis on June 16, 2010 at 2:13 pm
High salaries of officials and this what we see ?
Kenlucky L on June 16, 2010 at 2:15 pm
This is not the first time Singapore experience torrential rain and floods. Most of the time floods occur in places where the roads are situated in low ground. But in Orchard Road, we should not think it is a freak accident, but is the concern of the bad reconstruction of road works after building of the new mall – ION. LTA should send its team of specialist and expert to re-inspect the road to see if there’s any breach in the surface work that result in the rain water not draining into the drains.
snake on June 16, 2010 at 2:16 pm
swimming pool at orchard!!! nice idea from government
Vis on June 16, 2010 at 2:17 pm
YOG swimming pools
Red Dress on June 16, 2010 at 2:17 pm
What happen????
Have the drainage and manholes been chocked? How often they do maintenance to clear it?
O mine orchard area flood?? Cant believe it, after work, i would love to go down and see, especially wisma basement got flooded also.
Simple Truth on June 16, 2010 at 2:18 pm
The minister only knows to collect FAT pay check and do nothing to the welfare of the country. Who says Singapore has not natrual disaster? This is the typical one. Always adopt the same mindset. Let things screw up than sramble to investigate and fix it. Shame for such weak government.
Vis on June 16, 2010 at 2:18 pm
better don’t go as there might be virus
balling on June 16, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Rare sight in Singapore Orchard huh.
should have more bench at bus stops.
so tt more ppl can use them as standing ground should such catastrophic storms flood the ground again.
Galleon on June 16, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Is this climate change? Second time in Singapore to have flood like this in my 13 years in Singapore. I predict that more rain is coming the La Nina is moving to Singapore.
budimanhassan on June 16, 2010 at 2:20 pm
OMG!!! HOW SHAMEFUL!!! FLOODING IN 2010 HERE IN ORCHARD ROAD???
INFRONT OF THE BIGGEST MODERN SHOPPING MALL TOO???
WHAT HAVE THOSE RESPECTIVE MINISTERS BEEN DOING???
JL on June 16, 2010 at 2:21 pm
All underground and space is expensive ma…at Orchard area. No space for drainage to be widen or build…hahaha!
Just a one day rain to get this situation, just imagin more than 20 years ago when I was young,only when it rained 7 days…..
orange on June 16, 2010 at 2:21 pm
maybe too much construction has caused flooding in orchard area.
Vis on June 16, 2010 at 2:21 pm
THe NEA or PUB will say oh it co-inside with high tide .That a stupid answer .
Man-Made on June 16, 2010 at 2:22 pm
It is Globe Warming. Keep driving your car. Burn more fossil fuel. And you can swimming along orchard road during the next flooding.
Stupid PAP on June 16, 2010 at 2:22 pm
As Mr Brown tweeted: “Someone call the MINISTER of FREAK Incidents! Orchard Road flooding!” Haha this is good one.
Calvin on June 16, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Wow, Singapore’s natural disaster!!! But cannot help it if it rain more than half a month’s worth in 2 hours. We cannot build too much for something that only occurs once in 20 years….or is global warming causing all to change??
irah on June 16, 2010 at 2:23 pm
i was at orchard yup flooded esppecially carpark next to lucky plaza
Peter on June 16, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Signs of global climate change.
Pooh on June 16, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Wow…this is my 1st time to see “Flood” at Orchard road …
Raihan on June 16, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I’ve never seen such disaster before in singapore for years ever since i was in primary school. This is the first time I’ve seen this.
Molly Bean on June 16, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Why are you people start blamming people? The heavy pour rain causes the heavy flood and perhaps there are some blockage and that causes it.
Why blame the people who causes the flood??? At this kind of natural disastrous, we should be open minded and help one another to solve the problem from occuring again and not yaking about whos at fault..!!
Nameless on June 16, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Oh gosh… the first time it happened in front of my eye!!!! Can’t believed this will happen in Orchard and some more in my workplace…
My building carpark was fully flooded.. Let’s hope the Civil Defence people can drain off the water the soonest… Poor cars…..
STILL A SINGAPOREAN on June 16, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Hello Vis, will you blame our officials if the take away wantan noodle which you have just bought didn’t come with chopsticks ??!
Minister of Freak Incidents on June 16, 2010 at 2:26 pm
A thorough investigation has been performed and we have discovered that this is not an attempt to washout underground slave traders, it is in fact the result of abortive rainwwater disposal techniques performed by BP
Vis on June 16, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Bukit Timah drainage also flood dur to PUB not openning the value . I think same excuse this time for the flood , to my knowledge orchard drainage is small road is too straight to supress the ghost from CKT area.
MM on June 16, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Big Fortune is coming towards Singapore for the next century…:)
God of Rain on June 16, 2010 at 2:27 pm
ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joon Lim on June 16, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Take turn mah, usually we seen in tv was in indonesia, malaysia and thailand, now is in singapore. irronically was happen at the most famous road in singapoore, orchard road
maribeth tuazon on June 16, 2010 at 2:29 pm
omg.shocking.this never happen in singapore when i was there for almost a decade
Basic Instinct on June 16, 2010 at 2:29 pm
worst disaster….
never happen before…after bukit timah cases…I guessed blocked
there but did not care the other area…so it goes this place…lah.
Simply Annoyed on June 16, 2010 at 2:29 pm
In my opinion, many civil servants are like that. They won’t do anything unless something serious happens or it affects them. Otherwise, they will just sit in the office and do the talking.
Megan Fox on June 16, 2010 at 2:30 pm
holy mother cow!
God of Natural Disaster on June 16, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@Joon Lim
Yeah…i totally agree with you
xyz on June 16, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Frankly, I am of the opinion that things could have been a lot worse. Had we voted for the opposition during the last elections there would have been more rain, perhaps until the 2nd floor of Lucky Plaza.
We should therefore triple the old man and his child’s salary, and double their relatives and friends the Ministers salaries. Remember to vote for the PAP at the next elections.
Lynlyn on June 16, 2010 at 2:31 pm
More water to be made into newater!
Go and fine the Rain on June 16, 2010 at 2:31 pm
S$ 100,000 Fine to Rain !! How dare you to come singapore..
JL on June 16, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Already used up most of the space for building, underground car park etc. So no space to widen drainage!! With wider space, green ground in between in many years ago, you will not see this happen!
Mummy on June 16, 2010 at 2:31 pm
All branded good gone already. Poor retailers………
Katie Perry on June 16, 2010 at 2:32 pm
son of a gun!
nologika75 on June 16, 2010 at 2:32 pm
wat a SHAME to Singapore – Orchard Road (centre of shopping attraction)
GREAT SINGAPORE FLOODED SALES!!!
DoomRaider on June 16, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Orchard Rd has bad feng shui!!! first rat infestation, now flash floods.
Missy on June 16, 2010 at 2:32 pm
How about the MRT tracks? Are we able to travel?
LOL on June 16, 2010 at 2:32 pm
a welcome gift for YOG?
Alvin Ng Heng San on June 16, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Add some boats, it became Venice of Singapore
Complacent on June 16, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Dear fellow Singaporeans,
Is our fault again for being too complacent. We never check the drainage systems while walking along Orchard Road. Next time please check, ok?
Basic Instinct on June 16, 2010 at 2:33 pm
For this case, blocked here…next time or next rain fall, other
area will be effected.
SO please pay more to do a better job.