Singapore has always overcome the odds - why not a flooding problem?

[theDoors]

Surely there's a way?

Singapore has always overcome the odds - why not a flooding problem?
05:55 AM Jul 23, 2010

Letter from James Ang

I refer to the article "No way to prevent floods: MM Lee" (June 22). Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said that "whatever we do when we get extraordinary rains like we had recently, no amount of engineering can prevent flooding".

With all due respect to Mr Lee, his remark is disappointing, coming from an inspirational leader who has taken a 600-sq-km island with squatters and swamps to a 700-sq-km First World nation with an unmatched infrastructure in this region.

I was expecting a "never-say-die" attitude, challenging PUB's engineers to come up with an innovative solution.

The official cause of the floods has changed from a "once-in-50 years" event, to a culvert in Tanglin, to a by-product of Typhoon Conson, to the Stamford canal - and I am not confident if PUB has really nailed the root cause or causes to be able to develop a holistic solution.

Mr Lee's view also seems in contrast to the PUB CEO's statement that the flood in Orchard Road was "unacceptable".

Singapore has overcome so many insurmountable obstacles over the years. Citizens have always backed the authorities when a tough but practical decision has to be made to solve a problem, and I expect more challenges ahead - but a defeatist attitude is surely not the way forward.
A solution above ground?


Letter from Dr Huen Yeong Kong

As a retired engineer, I think it is premature to announce that there is no engineering solution to the repeated flooding problems.

It is true we have no space at ground level to widen all the drains. But a well designed, above-ground canal network would intercept at least 25 per cent of the heavy downpour and save Singapore from most flooding.

Yes, it is expensive, but it is not impossible because these superstructures would also support solar panels and provide shade that would save air-conditioning energy cost. This is a win-win situation, so why have our civil engineers not pointed this out?
Pumps and water tanks


Letter from Gilbert Tan Hee Khian

The MRT line and many new commercial buildings and high-rise apartments in and around Orchard Road have reduced much of the land surface and underground area for water to run off.

To address this, new developments could be required to build storm drains beneath the buildings, with mechanised devices to pump water in the event of heavy rainstorms. Additional water tanks can be constructed in between or on top of buildings to alleviate flooding; water from the tanks can be released in a coordinated manner when the storm blows over.
URL http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100723-0000060/Surely-theres-a-way

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[manokie]

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[theDoors]

I normally include the copyright if it's lifted from a newspaper online.

 

[jacobsgoh]

Give the guy a break, he is only the MM; its like making a pensiioner shoulder the full burden, which is grossly unfair. he might had said certain things wrongly, being elderly it could be slip of his bloodly tongue or he was merely joking.

 

[Rogue Trader]

to all those who believe MM that floods can never be prevented by engineering solutions, just google "netherlands" to read about the truth.

 

[Devil Within]

Because there is no flood in places where LKY is staying. If LKY's place is flooded like Lucky plaza, you can be sure that the work for a new drain will start the very next day.

 

[poore]

becos its an act of god mah...and god doesnt like wat he sees

 

[soikee]

Give the guy a break, he is only the MM; its like making a pensiioner shoulder the full burden, which is grossly unfair. he might had said certain things wrongly, being elderly it could be slip of his bloodly tongue or he was merely joking.

Why don't you then ask that bloody senile old fart not to cling on to power and draw more than $6m - $8m (includes bonus excluding pension) a year.

 

[aangsc]

our scholars already studied enough of "netherlands" to prevent sea level rising, mind you "from the sea" but now it came from the sky...so we didn't see it coming.
According to our 'best mathematical forecasting machine' and it shows a once in 50 years possibility. Damn! wrong again, can someone check is that a "made in china" product ?
Now at grand old years of 86, you people still looking up to him for answer,
Him already at the door step to heaven.
Wait a min, we have the railway line back soon, can build a long "SMARTASS' tunnel lah, it should be more than 10KM

 

[motormafia]

to all those who believe MM that floods can never be prevented by engineering solutions, just google "netherlands" to read about the truth.

No need to even compare with Netherlands, since old fart claimed extraordinary rain. Make him to answer why JB & Batam are OK.

:p

http://sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=67367