Since the dawn of time (and by that I mean since the independence of Singapore), Singaporeans have been complaining about the hot weather.
Just like queuing for things and placing 4D bets, it’s one of our most enjoyable pastimes.
But not anymore.
The weather in Singapore has been rather strange lately. More rain has fallen in recent months than tears in my teenage life, which is saying something.
So, what accounts for this abrupt change in weather? Simple: climate change.
Grace Fu Says Sat (17 Apr)’s Flash Floods Were A Sign of Climate Change
Speaking on Monday (19 Apr), Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the flash floods that occurred last Saturday (17 Apr) are a symptom of climate change.
Ms Fu was speaking to reporters during a visit to one of the sites for the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS).
She added that the flash floods show the need to plan ahead.
“We are getting a lot more intense rainfall – one of the highest in the last 40 years – and we’re seeing such intense rainfall more frequently,” she said.
“We have already been witnessing pattern changes, and we expect to see even wetter and drier patterns going forward.”
“It shows us the importance of planning for climate change and also mitigation,” she added.
Ms Fu noted that the authorities have had to spend billions of dollars on improving our water infrastructure so as to increase our climate resilience.
National water agency PUB, for example, has spent S$2 billion on drainage improvement works over the last decade, she said.
Around another S$1.4 billion will be spent on similar projects in the next five years. There are already 37 such projects in the works, with another 10 to begin this year.
Ms Fu said the DTSS is one such project that will prepare the country for the effects of climate change.
The DTSS is an underground network of sewers that traps and channels used water to three reclamation plants where it will be treated to produce NEWater.
“The DTSS allows us to capture and reclaim the water. If we are able to reclaim more, it makes us more resilient because our water can be reused over and over again,” she said.
Flash Floods, Collapsed Trees
The reason for the flash floods on Saturday was an inordinately heavy downpour.
The rainfall was so heavy, in fact, that PUB said the amount corresponds to 91% of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall in April, and lies within the top 0.5% of maximum daily rainfall records since 1981.
Flash floods were observed all over the country and the police even had to cordon off a road in Jurong East because of how severe the floods were.
Two trees also collapsed due to the thundery showers.
In the first incident, a tree outside Block 166, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 collapsed, falling on at least 3 lorries.
The second incident occurred at Lower Delta Road at about 2:45pm. A video of the incident was captured on the road by a passing driver.
The tree appears to have fallen on a yellow hatchback on the leftmost lane.
It’s unknown if anyone was injured in either accident.
Feature Image: Facebook (Just Keep Thinking)
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