The word, “flash”, is used in several ways. It can refer to a bright quick light, a new fashionable trend, the DC superhero Barry Allen, Flash Gordon (if you get this reference, you’re very old), and perverts or raccoons looking shifty and wearing trench coats.
Now, PUB wants you to use the word FLASH for a more practical reason: to be ready for the monsoon season, and, along with that, flash floods.
The national water agency has launched its first campaign to prep and push Singaporeans to be ready for possible floods that can emerge due to increasingly unpredictable weather changes and more intense storms that have been happening.
How?
Well, it’s done if you remember the mnemonic FLASH:
• Follow PUB flood alerts
• Learn how to be flood-ready
• Avoid flooded areas
• Share PUB flood updates
• Help others where possible
To help promote this, PUB has launched campaign posters and a minute-long video clip, which depicts those who impart wise choices to apply during flash floods as near godly, using heavenly choir music, a satay stick with a small white moustache and goatee, and almost godly light emitting from those who use the FLASH mnemonic.
It’s kinda cute, not gonna lie. You should watch the clip here:
PUB has also said that they are working with platforms such as ride-hailing company CDG Zig, Grab and the Motorist platform to share flood safety tips with its users, as well as with Grab to push out flood alerts to its drivers and food delivery riders. This will be done via the Grab app, to be completed by 2025.
Drivers can also collect a Flood-Wise Drive car decal from any Esso station from 2 Dec. From 2 Dec to 22 Dec, vehicles who display the decal stand to win $100 worth of FairPrice vouchers.
The decal includes advice to motorists, such as not to drive through flood waters higher than kerb height.
Car sharing companies such as BlueSG and Lumens will also be placing these decals on their vehicles.
Members of the public can get flood alerts via PUB’s Telegram channel (t./me/pubfloodalerts) and the myENV app.
Rain Rain Please Go Away
The wide range of raising awareness about the dangers of flash floods via various platforms is notable, especially as the country has been hit with moderate to heavy thundery showers in the past.
With heavier rains predicted over Singapore over most of the second half of November, ít definitely feels like something, especially drivers, should take note of.
In fact, just a few days ago, Ophir Road was hit with a flash flood just after heavier rains poured down over several places in Singapore, causing high water levels in adjacent drains.
Maurice Neo, Director of PUB’s catchment and waterways department, has opined that the public needs to be ready for floods.
This statement comes as PUB works to ensure Singapore’s drainage infrastructure continues to improve.
“We are witnessing more extreme weather events around the world, which serve as a stark reminder of the climate-change reality,” he said.
The agency has shared that it has stepped up checks across the island to make sure that public drains are not blocked, ensuring that rainwater can drain out.
This is especially so for key buildings and flood-prone areas.
The agency is also providing residents in flood-prone areas with barriers and inflatable bags that can be used quickly to keep out flood water.
PUB has urged that building owners protect their properties against floods through proper maintenance of their internal drainage systems and the use of flood protection measures. Businesses that have done so include CapitaLand and Esplanade.
In times of heavy rains, SMRT also conducts annual exercises across all public train lines to make sure that their employees are ready to keep the trains moving during floods.
This includes installing flood barriers at station entrances, and activating flood response teams to stations affected.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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