‘Engineering solutions won't help Singapore's flood problem’

because most rely on consultants who does gis only and not see the ground, the real impact of floods but work from their cubicle on prepared maps. get engineers out of the office. the country is paying a minimum of 3k a month for engineers so get out and look what are you consulting.

Means what now? Flash floods are forgivable is it?

Well, many people didn't expect Singapore to survive when we separated from Malaysia as well. We've a knack for defying the odds. That is what made us what we are now. If our 1st generation of political leaders could do it, why can't this present batch? They aren't incompetent, are they?

'Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told Reuters that the government is keen to do its part in any global fight against climate change and that pushing for greater energy efficiency made sense anyway in a country with virtually no natural resources'

Why are you not encouraging hybrid car as the import Tax is still so high..?
Why is the diesel car have to pay a high road tax....?
Why are you not encourage to have a solar system on HDB building for free electricity on all household...?

Are you protecting the petroleum company in S'pore who has invested billion of $$$$$...?
Are protecting S'pore Power SP who has paid million of $$$$$ ....to GIC...?
Pls Do Not be a Hyprocrite in your talking...

As we all know that the government has the money n capabilities to have this done but there seems to have no actions but all talk like a Hyprocrite in you party system...

You have the best n talented people but cannot even do such a thing for the Enviroment....
I'm not talented but I believe you as a million dollars minister should n could have the ability to change n implement this kind of green environment towards our society.

What a Shame to this Hyprocrite story....
Is all about money.......

WWF???
the last time i wrote to them about crab having problem crossing
the outlet pipes under the causeway due to rubbish choking up..
they say is not their problem too...lol

As regards to the flooding problem, what WWF said may have some truth but no doing anything amounting to waiting for the issue to get worst. Regarding walling of the island, I believe Singapore has a master plan in walling the island in response for future rising of the sea level and bad weather. In this case too, Holland will be under water much sooner than expected and there is nothing Holland could do since its land is already below sea level !

Bala will over spend by $750 million ? Like yog?U observe Sweet talkers are usually no brainers?

In the first plce it was the Engineering that caused the floods.Dr chris doenknow that singapore govt has blocked all waterways in the concept of containing water for consumption,good idea maybe.What they did not do was 'Home Work" on studying underlying areas first and finding a solution before closing all water exits.

So landed property price is going to crash because of such news. Those staying in the coastal area of Singapore will see their property price drastically dropped in valuation. Good Luck!!

The Pap Govt have become REACTIVE rather than PROACTIVE. Recent events have shown that only when 'things' have happened only then did the MIWs scrambled about thinking of remedies.

Mr Vivien Balakrisnan, I urge you NOT to rest on your laurel just because that Dr Brian Hales had said "No amount of engineering could help in SG flooding problems" and that "flooding is here to stay". As a Minister who is paid exorbitant salary, you must adopt the thinking of 'there is no problems big enough that cannot be solved'. Singaporeans will never accept you to use Dr Brian Hale verdict as an excuse in the event of future floodings.

Here are some suggestions which I think can prevent or at least minimise the effect of floodings.

1. Is the existence of Marina Barrage, a hindrance for excess water from Stamford canal to flow into the sea? If yes, find ways to rectify this problem.

2. Construct water storage tanks around buildings, to minimise water flow into the surrounding areas.

3. Reduce the areas around building which were cemented to facilitate water seeping into the ground.

4. Maintenace of canals and drains to be intensified - removing clogging and debris clearing, as well as deepening and widening them whereever possible to improve water flow.

5. Construct permanent barriers and curbs around building structures to prevent water from flowing into basements and lower floors of buildings.

6. Future buildings in low-lying are to be raised above ground level.

VB, remember, SG cannot afford to experience flooding as serious as what happened in Bangkok, Thailand. Please study my suggestions above for feasibility. As a parting shot, never, never use Dr Brian Hales verdict as a ready excuse to shirk your responsibility and accountability after each and every flooding in the future. Singaporeans just cannot accept it.

"Flash floods are going be the norm for Singapore and "no amount of brilliant engineering can resolve that problem,"

That's good. NEA / PUB etc. all can IGNORE the fallout of water-ponding and flooding.

another smoke screen ... corruption among the high earners will also be a norm ... a trend has started ...

$700 million only,Not $700 billion.Think about the collections we have lost in ERP because of the ponding problem.

Bull. High power pumps and temporary storage room underground for excessive flood. There are no "experts" only specialists in engineering. In this case marine specialized engineers can solve the problem. But what do academics understand about this?

Dr. Chris Hails is Director International Relations at WWF International and Chairman of WWF Singapore.
Dr Hails trained as a biologist at the University of Stirling in Scotland. He worked as a lecturer in Zoology and Ecology at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur from 1976 to 1983.
He joined WWF International in 1988 as Director of the Asia-Pacific Region, and moved on to be global Programme Director from 1995 until 2007.
He was an environmental advisor to the Ministry of National Development in Singapore, spearheading the “Bring back the Birds” project. His works include “The Birds of Singapore" (1987) and a monograph for the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology alongside Wang Luan Keng in 2007.

Ploy recovered.
He is just another Ka Ki Lang.
Another "pian jia" FT.
What does a biologist know about engineering?

I visit the East Coast Park on a regular basis, and I haven't seen any signs of the sea rising during high tide. Since his argument on flooding in Singapore and the dismissal of a viable engineering solution hinges on this allegation, I would like to know where he collected this important piece of data.

WWF he seems to prepare us to accept the flooding and also the health problem due to pollution that can be cause by the new build coal power plant but blame it on the climate changing effect... or Is WWF of Singapore trying to diverge our attention, as singapore temperature compare to most city in the world during summer time, it is even consider cooling...How much can this UHI contributed? bring the temperature in the CBD to 45degrees celsius? while northern Siingapore still maintain at 28 degress celsius? I don't think so....Unless more green house gasses like CO2 is going into the environment which is most likely from the coal power plant compare to current natural gas fired one...

Oh... Really?

750 million, whow. PUB you sure you gave the right speech. Please look under Flash Flood not Flush Flood. It may be 750 k minus the discount.

Late Kim Jong Il builds dam and caused flood in North Korea.
Supreme LEEder LKY builds Marina Barrage and caused flood in Orchard.
Both Lee & Kim brothers' relationship & fate is thicker than blood. haha