Singapore's Main Hazard: Flooding

Singapore’s Main Hazard: Flooding


   Singapore’s main hazard is flooding. Each year, the small country located in south-east Asia is hit by
heavy rainfall during monsoon season. These storms can drop heavy amounts of rain in a short amount of
time causing flash floods. The urban city cannot absorb the heavy rainfall and this could lead to flooding.
The country has been proactive to try to mitigate the risk. Most of Singapore is flat lying, making drainage slow. The rainwater is not absorbed by the ground due
to the fact that much of Singapore is industrialized. Heavy rainfall could knock out power, leaving citizens
stranded and unable to access emergency response systems resulting in potential for loss of life. These
factors create a recipe for disaster if these situations are not mitigated properly. Luckily Singapore’s
government is proactive and has invested in sophisticated drainage systems and implemented guidelines
on new construction. To help mitigate the risk of flooding Singapore has implemented a variety of strategies beginning with
the construction of elaborate drainage systems. These systems help to quickly divert rainwater out of the
city. Singapore has also invested in early monitoring systems to alert citizens of potentially dangerous
weather and to allow the government to flood threats. They also invest in public education to keep citizens
proactive and safe when a storm occurs. Singapore also has planning regulations for new construction to
include flood mitigating features. When planning for new construction, they plan on building on higher ground. Areas of the city like
Bukit Timah Hill and parts of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve offer elevated terrain that is less
prone to flooding. Building on higher land reduces the risk of flooding. New construction is also built
with sophisticated drainage systems to move water out of the city efficiently. The rainwater is not wasted
as Singapore is known globally as a role model in water management. They have invested in several “taps”
to help save water and reuse it in their city. Overall Singapore is a relatively safe place to live. The main hazard is still flooding, however with a
proactive approach they have been able to mitigate the dangers of flooding. By using elaborate drainage
systems, having an early warning system, utilizing planning guidelines and building on higher ground they
have reduced their risk of damage and the potential loss of life. These strategies will not make Singapore
completely safe from flooding, but they help citizens of the country. Singapore is a great role model for
the rest of the world.


PUB Singapore (2023). Flood Management in Singapore. Retrieved from https://www.pub.gov.sg/flood-management

National Environment Agency Singapore (2024). Weather and Climate. Retrieved from https://www.nea.gov.sg/weather

Tan, P. Y., & Ng, P. T. (2020). Urban Flood Risk Management in Singapore. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 13(3).

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