Orchard Road floods: Shops want answers
AsiaOne
Sunday, Dec 25, 2011
Retailers along Orchard Road are questioning why flood prevention measures put in place this year failed to stop flood waters from entering their stores on Friday.
They are upset that the slew of flood prevention measures introduced after last year's flash floods did not work.
According to The Straits Times, some of these retailers suffered losses after their stores were flooded.
Some had to close to clean up and repair damages, while others threw out food in keeping with food hygiene practices.
The English daily said Liat Towers' luxury retailer Hermes remains closed while fast-food chain Wendy's and coffee chain Starbucks opened only on Saturday afternoon.
These three stores were at least ankle-deep in water on Friday when heavy rain overwhelmed the flood barriers in front of their shutters.
Other shops in Lucky Plaza had their goods damaged before store assistants moved them to higher ground.
Sandbags placed near the basement entrance did not stop the flood waters from rising to about ankle-high.
Business losses for these shops are estimated to be between 20 and 60 per cent.
Those affected by the flood said they are disappointed this is happening again.
"We hope that the building management and the authorities can work out the real issues," a marketing and branding manager for Wendy's said.
An online news source said the flood gates were not the problem as they were raised at 3pm before the floods happened.
A spokesperson for the company which worked on the flood gates told the news source that it was the drain beside Liat Towers which was the problem as the water in it could not flow into Stamford Canal and overflowed into the basement.
The Straits Times also reported that national water agency Public Utilities Board (PUB) is working with various building managers to implement more flood protection measures.
PUB said it is working with the affected buildings' managers to find out how to help them install more flood protection measures.
According to PUB, Friday's floods were due to prolonged heavy rain that fell directly into Liat Towers' open basement area. [RT: LOL! what the fuck reason is this??]
Mr Steven Goh, executive director of the Orchard Road Business Association, said the panel of 12 local and international experts set up in June to look into the floods should give an answer on why the flood happened even after the measures were in place.
[email protected]
The carpark behind H&M flooded on Dec 23, 2011
Orchard Road in front of Delfi Orchard.
Orchard Road in front of Forum The Shopping Mall.
Pedestrian walking towards Paragon.
Outside Lucky Plaza
A photo of Lucky Plaza on Dec 23, 2011.
A photo of flash flood affecting fast food joint Wendy's on Dec 23, 2011.
AsiaOne
Sunday, Dec 25, 2011
Retailers along Orchard Road are questioning why flood prevention measures put in place this year failed to stop flood waters from entering their stores on Friday.
They are upset that the slew of flood prevention measures introduced after last year's flash floods did not work.
According to The Straits Times, some of these retailers suffered losses after their stores were flooded.
Some had to close to clean up and repair damages, while others threw out food in keeping with food hygiene practices.
The English daily said Liat Towers' luxury retailer Hermes remains closed while fast-food chain Wendy's and coffee chain Starbucks opened only on Saturday afternoon.
These three stores were at least ankle-deep in water on Friday when heavy rain overwhelmed the flood barriers in front of their shutters.
Other shops in Lucky Plaza had their goods damaged before store assistants moved them to higher ground.
Sandbags placed near the basement entrance did not stop the flood waters from rising to about ankle-high.
Business losses for these shops are estimated to be between 20 and 60 per cent.
Those affected by the flood said they are disappointed this is happening again.
"We hope that the building management and the authorities can work out the real issues," a marketing and branding manager for Wendy's said.
An online news source said the flood gates were not the problem as they were raised at 3pm before the floods happened.
A spokesperson for the company which worked on the flood gates told the news source that it was the drain beside Liat Towers which was the problem as the water in it could not flow into Stamford Canal and overflowed into the basement.
The Straits Times also reported that national water agency Public Utilities Board (PUB) is working with various building managers to implement more flood protection measures.
PUB said it is working with the affected buildings' managers to find out how to help them install more flood protection measures.
According to PUB, Friday's floods were due to prolonged heavy rain that fell directly into Liat Towers' open basement area. [RT: LOL! what the fuck reason is this??]
Mr Steven Goh, executive director of the Orchard Road Business Association, said the panel of 12 local and international experts set up in June to look into the floods should give an answer on why the flood happened even after the measures were in place.
[email protected]
The carpark behind H&M flooded on Dec 23, 2011
Orchard Road in front of Delfi Orchard.
Orchard Road in front of Forum The Shopping Mall.
Pedestrian walking towards Paragon.
Outside Lucky Plaza
A photo of Lucky Plaza on Dec 23, 2011.
A photo of flash flood affecting fast food joint Wendy's on Dec 23, 2011.
