Yaacob: Marina Barrage reduced flood !

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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - Yaacob: Marina Barrage reduced flood !</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead vAlign=top><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>kojakbt_89 <NOBR></NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>7:09 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 19) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>36308.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Jul 19, 2010

Marina Barrage reduced flood

<!-- by line -->By Amresh Gunasingham
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THE Marina Barrage helped to prevent flooding in many low lying areas around the city during the recent floods and has done so since it was opened in 2008, Minister for the Environment & Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim said in Parliament on Monday.
Responding to Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Sylvia Lim's question on the role of the barrage in the recent floods, he explained that because the barrage receives water from a large 10,000 ha network of canals and drains, areas located more centrally or further north could still be vulnerable to floods if the drains there do not have the capacity to contain water during an intense downpour.
This was the case in the flooding of Orchard on June 16, which is located more centrally and on higher ground, he added.
Ms Lim had asked the minister to clarify what she termed as 'confusing statements' in the media about the role of the barrage in the floods, pointing out that PUB's Chief Executive Officer Khoo Teng Chye had earlier said it was not to be blamed for the June 16 flooding along Orchard Road.
When opened to great fanfare two years ago, the $226 million Marina Barrage was being touted as the solution to relieve flash floods in low-lying areas around the city.
Explaining the role of the barrage, Dr Yaacob said it played three main roles, that of a freshwater reservoir, to prevent floods as well as for recreational activities. During a rain storm, seven pumps and nine crest gates at the barrage are used interchangeably to release water out to sea depending on the prevailing tidal levels and predictions based on statistical modelling.

</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msgleft width="1%"> </TD><TD class=msgopt width="24%" noWrap> Options</TD><TD class=msgrde width="50%" noWrap align=middle> Reply</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[kulgai]

My foot! With the Marina Barrage, water no longer flow out to the sea quick enuf. Enuf said. The other contributing factor is closed drainage. With open drainage, water is still manageable even if rainfall exceeds drain capacity. But with closed drainage, its a whole diffrent story unless underground tunnels are made exceptionally huge.

 

[RK85]

Fm PUB website:

"During heavy rain, the series of nine crest gates at the dam will be activated to release excess storm water into the sea when the tide is low.

In the case of high tide, giant pumps which are capable of pumping an Olympics-size swimming pool per minute will drain excess storm water into the sea. "

I dun think MB is a factor in the floods. With or without MB, the excess water will still flow out into the sea if the crest gates are opened. The flow rate will still be the same with or without the barrage if the gates are open. Unless some joker fm PUB forgot to open the gates.

My foot! With the Marina Barrage, water no longer flow out to the sea quick enuf. Enuf said. The other contributing factor is closed drainage. With open drainage, water is still manageable even if rainfall exceeds drain capacity. But with closed drainage, its a whole diffrent story unless underground tunnels are made exceptionally huge.

 

[Teo Kok Eng]

Unless some joker fm PUB forgot to open the gates.

That may well be the reason

 

[Teo Kok Eng]

One of the following happened during the two floodings:

1. Someone forgot to lower the gates to excess storm water into the sea during low tide

2. Someone forgot to turn on the pump or pump malfunction during high tide

3. Someone lower the gates during a high tide

 

[red amoeba]

har must be...

that day rain...hor...4.30 am...so early...haven't start work...typically PUB ppl start work 9 am with kopi or teh tarik...where got so early one deh....thats why no one to open gate mah...

 

[longbow]

Thank god for the marina barrage or else Orchard Road would have been under 15 feet of water and we could change our name to Atlantis.

 

[bryanlim1972]

Fm PUB website:

I dun think MB is a factor in the floods. With or without MB, the excess water will still flow out into the sea if the crest gates are opened. The flow rate will still be the same with or without the barrage if the gates are open. Unless some joker fm PUB forgot to open the gates.

agree. telok kurau lor L flooded according to the reports. telok kurau has 6 or 7 lorongs, but only (?) Lor L flooded this time.

Lor L happens to have quite a lot of construction projects; chances are the construction exacerbated the flooding situation there.

 

[RK85]

I was one of the many contractors working on the MB project for another system. There are 7 giant pumps; even if 1 or 2 or even 3 breakdown, its still ok. And yes, the pumps are huge. Even if extreme high tide, there is no need to switch on all the pumps, only a few will do. Unless maybe got giant tsunami or something.

And furthermore, there is always a team in the DCS room 24 hrs a day monitoring the tide levels, rain, equipment operation, etc. So anything abnormal, will be triggered on the monitors & they will know immediately.

Not defending MB, just stating what I know from working there.

 

[saratogas]

Minister for the Environment & Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim will be praying hard on this Friday salat session, seeking Allah's help - No more heavy rains, Please! I'm running out of excuses...

 

[chewed]

I was one of the many contractors working on the MB project for another system. There are 7 giant pumps; even if 1 or 2 or even 3 breakdown, its still ok. And yes, the pumps are huge. Even if extreme high tide, there is no need to switch on all the pumps, only a few will do. Unless maybe got giant tsunami or something.

And furthermore, there is always a team in the DCS room 24 hrs a day monitoring the tide levels, rain, equipment operation, etc. So anything abnormal, will be triggered on the monitors & they will know immediately.

Not defending MB, just stating what I know from working there.

then it's obvious that somebody is not doing their job in DCS room!

 

[bodycells]

No lah, it is built to prevent sinkapore from flooding the sea. The govt is so considerate. You have a very nice and kind govt.

 

[RK85]

Maybe. Last heay rain occurred at 4 am. Maybe all still sleeping or eating snake at that time.

then it's obvious that somebody is not doing their job in DCS room!

 

[Orion]

I dont understand how a dam prevent flood. It prevents water from going to the seas. How does a dam prevent a flood when the job is to store water?

Can some1 explain the logic of this minister?

 

[SotongMee]

Flash floods stain Singapore's reputation as urban paradise
AFP - Monday, July 19SendIM StoryPrint.

Flash floods stain Singapore's reputation as urban paradise
SINGAPORE (AFP) - – Singaporeans were salvaging cars, soaked belongings and damaged goods on Sunday after a third flash flood in two months submerged low-lying areas of the city-state.

Shops and houses along posh Orchard Road were again hit by floods on Saturday after heavy rain overwhelmed the drainage system of the wealthy metropolis, which is often lauded for its excellent urban management.

The flooding took place just before parliament was to debate the issue on Monday following public clamour for explanations for earlier floods, which are normally associated with neighbouring capitals like Manila and Jakarta.

Residents in affected houses hauled out sodden furniture and opened windows and doors on Sunday after muddy water from overflowing canals receded.

"We never had floods like that," said Peter Wong, 49, a long-time resident in a row of houses in eastern Singapore invaded by calf-high floodwaters on Saturday.

"Everything was gone, the carpets as you can see are damaged, the bottom of all the sofa seats are still soaking wet now, after 24 hours. We had to replace a new fridge, the fridge is totally damaged," Wong told AFP.

"I'm trying to keep a cool head over this but it is frustrating. My life is disrupted," added the hotelier, who failed to take out insurance against "acts of God" like floods.

The Straits Times said some restaurants lost live fish stored in tanks.

A major highway was also closed for two and a half hours, while motorists and commuters had to be rescued from stranded vehicles, but there were no reports of major injuries.

Saturday's flash floods were the third since June 16.

Flash floods were a rare occurrence in Singapore until recently, with a climate expert interviewed by the Straits Times attributing the problem to regional weather phenomena such as Typhoon Conson and Indonesian squalls.

Critics had blasted the Public Utilities Board (PUB) for not being prepared to handle the first two floods, while the department defending itself by saying abnormal weather conditions and clogged drains were to blame.

The flooding issue has become so serious that the Singapore parliament is scheduled to address the problem when it convenes on Monday amid forecasts of more rain.

My foot! With the Marina Barrage, water no longer flow out to the sea quick enuf. Enuf said. The other contributing factor is closed drainage. With open drainage, water is still manageable even if rainfall exceeds drain capacity. But with closed drainage, its a whole diffrent story unless underground tunnels are made exceptionally huge.

 

[shOUTloud]

I dont understand how a dam prevent flood. It prevents water from going to the seas. How does a dam prevent a flood when the job is to store water?

Can some1 explain the logic of this minister?

There is a last part where there are huge pumps that can drain water from the reservoir into the sea. This is where the dam prevents flood.

1. Low tide and heavy rain, the dam will open to let excess water flow out.

2. High tide and heavy rain, the dam will pump water out.

These are the theory, at least. But now they claims ENORMOUS amount of water rained on Singapore for three days. so lan lan loh. Cannot plan for ENORMOUS amt of water, right?

 

[Teo Kok Eng]

I dont understand how a dam prevent flood. It prevents water from going to the seas. How does a dam prevent a flood when the job is to store water?

Can some1 explain the logic of this minister?

Read the info in this page:

http://www.pub.gov.sg/marina/Pages/default.aspx

Flood Control

The Marina Barrage is part of a comprehensive flood control scheme to alleviate flooding in the low-lying areas in the city such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan Besar and Geylang.
During heavy rain, the series of nine crest gates at the dam will be activated to release excess storm water into the sea when the tide is low.
In the case of high tide, giant pumps which are capable of pumping an Olympics-size swimming pool per minute will drain excess storm water into the sea.

There are two videos there: crest gates and pumps.

Watch the videos to see how the dam aids in flood control.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

I was one of the many contractors working on the MB project for another system. There are 7 giant pumps; even if 1 or 2 or even 3 breakdown, its still ok. And yes, the pumps are huge. Even if extreme high tide, there is no need to switch on all the pumps, only a few will do. Unless maybe got giant tsunami or something.

These pumps may look huge and they may pump out water very rapidly. However, this must be able to cope with the water flow from the catchment area.

If you look at the map, the urban water catchment area of Marina Barrage is more than one third (near to half) of Singapore land mass. On top of that, it is linked to the main reservoirs at the center of Singapore. When there is heavy rain, these reservoirs will have to release water out in order to avoid over flowing/flooding of the reservoirs.

The calculation of potential water flow must include the worst case scenario of heavy rain ALL OVER Singapore plus the potential amount of water being released from these reservoirs during heavy rain. Rate of Water Flow in urban areas is much faster as well.

Apparently, someone screwed up with the calculations.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[rodent2005]

A dam like Marina Barrage stops water from flowing into the open sea, which is the whole purpose of it as it is a water catchment. That's why you need pumps during high tide. If there is no dam, water will flow directly into the open sea.

The Marina Barrage has an effect of causing floods. Installing the pumps and gates is a measure to counter that effect.

If PAP has said pumps help to alleviate floods, then it makes sense. But you can theoretically install pumps anywhere right, not just at Marina Bay?

 

[shOUTloud]

If PAP has said pumps help to alleviate floods, then it makes sense. But you can theoretically install pumps anywhere right, not just at Marina Bay?

So what we need now is another $200million to build the Marina Pumps! To pump out all the water.