9 Updates About the Clementi Landslide That Has Caused Even More Issues

Even if you don’t live in the west or southwest, you’ve probably already heard of the landslide that happened just yesterday (2 September) morning.

The landslide, which took place at a construction site that was building Built-to-Order (BTO) flats at the Clementi NorthArc BTO site in the wee hours of the morning, has since been the centre of attention in Singapore ever since it happened.

“Soil displacement” into Sungei Ulu Pandan also occurred due to the landslide, hence causing damage to the Ulu Pandan park connector as well.

And for those who’ve been invested in the details, here’s all you need to know about what’s been made known of this unexpected landslide.

Only One Person Was Injured

To start, here’s the “good” (or rather, not-so-bad) news.

Despite the horrific appearance of the landslide, only one person was left injured as a result of the incident.

A man, whose age was not disclosed, suffered “minor injuries” due to the landslide, and has since been

HDB also revealed in a post that relevant personnel attended to the man after they arrived at the scene, and that the man is currently resting at home now.

“Agencies are in touch with him to render any further assistance that may be necessary,” HDB added.

Landslide Area Was Meant for Building of Basketball Court and Pavilion

And if you’re wondering what the landslide area’s supposed to look like when it’s not looking like a landslide, here’s something to help you visualise what you’d want to be looking at.

“The slope failure occurred at the edge of the construction site, where a retaining wall was being constructed to prepare for the subsequent building of a future basketball court and pavilion in the area,” HDB wrote in the same post.

HDB also added that the affected area is not near the residential HDB blocks that will be built, and that it faces the Ulu Pandan Canal and Park Connector Network.

Stop-Work Order Has Been Issued

In HDB’s Facebook post, it also revealed that a stop-work order for the area has been put out by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), meaning that construction works will be halted for the time being.

However, it also clarified that “works on the residential blocks have not been affected and are allowed to continue”.

“Early this morning, BCA and HDB engineers, together with the project’s Qualified Person (QP), inspected the site and its surroundings, and have assessed that the buildings in the vicinity remain structurally sound,” HDB assured the public.

BCA also published a similar update yesterday (2 September) afternoon after the incident.

Slope Stabilisation Measures Already Put Into Place

In the updates, it was also revealed that Chiu Teng Construction Co. Pte Ltd, the contractor appointed by the authorities, has already been contacted to conduct “slope stabilisation measures”.

The measures include applying a thin layer of concrete to the slope in order to stabilise it and the creation a channel to “improve water flow”, and will apparently help “mitigate the impact of the slope failure”.

HDB added that the thin layer of concrete was applied yesterday (2 September) night.

BCA then said that the soil movement will be monitored by the relevant personnel, which include a builder and a professional engineer.

Additionally, HDB also shared that it is currently communicating with the Public Utilities Board (PUB), the National Parks Board (NParks) as well as BCA to carry out a detailed investigation of the incident and to ensure that the necessary recovery action is taken.

Other recovery measures will include the removal of the dislodged soil in the canal, the reinstation of damaged segments of the park connector, as well as the reconstruction of the slope and retaining walls within the site.

According to HDB, these works will begin next week.

Struggles to Get Excavator and Equipment Into the Scene

As for how the stabilisation measures have been going, an employee of Chiu Teng Construction revealed to CNA that the state of the site made it difficult for them to bring in their equipment such as excavators.

According to him, the trees slid down by around 30 metres, making it difficult for the excavator to enter the area.

The landslide caused three trees and three street lamps to be uprooted, causing them to be shifted to where the edge of the water used to be.

Migrant workers also told CNA that they reached the site at 8am, but were unable to begin work right away as well.

However, by 11.15am, the excavators had successfully made their way into the area and were able to remove soil away from the slope.

Ulu Pandan Canal Affected by Landslide, But Not Flooded Yet

As for the condition of the neighbouring canals in the area, PUB provided a Facebook update shortly after the incident to inform the public of the damage done to the Ulu Pandal canal.

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“There have been some concerns over potential flooding and if the canal is choked,” PUB wrote.

The agency then explained that water flow in Sungei Ulu Pandan has not been restricted; water can still flow through the area and that “HDB is working on the earth removal within the canal”.

In addition to that, the water quality in the nearest reservoir, which is Pandan Reservoir, has not been impacted due to the landslide.

“PUB is monitoring the situation and [has] deployed our Quick Response Team vehicles at locations upstream of the canal. They are on standby to respond to any potential flooding incidents in the event of heavy rainfall,” it added.

Park Connectors to be Closed For Now

However, despite the good news regarding the canals in the area, those of us who frequent the park connectors in the area might have to take a break from doing so for now.

According to Senior Minister of State for National Development and Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Sim Ann, the site near the Ulu Pandan park connector has been “cordoned off for public safety”.

She also told reporters that there has been a “quite extensive” amount of damage done to the area, and that the main priority for the authorities is to “restore water flow” in the Ulu Pandan canal.

According to Ms Sim, there will be a “fairly long stretch” between Ghim Moh and the Ayer Rajah Expressway that will be temporarily closed, and asked for the public’s understanding since this area is a commonly-used one by residents.

CNA reporters also reported that the entrance to the park connector was blocked off and that there were cracks in the pavement as well.

Currently, No Delay in Collecting BTO Keys

As for the BTO flat homeowners in the area, the good news for them is that the collection of keys should not be delayed, at least for the time being.

After HDB’s “preliminary assessment”, Ms Sim announced that there is currently “no reason to delay the collection of keys”.

HDB also added that buyers of the BTO flats in the area will be given the relevant updates if the completion date of the flats needs to be changed.

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Timing of Landslide Was “Fortunate”

As for the timing of the landslide, one person said that it was “fortunate”.

And it seems like it’s true, for a warehouse worker almost ended up being involved in the incident.

Speaking to The Straits Times, Lim Thiam Chye recalled how he cycled past the area when he was heading home after ending work at 1am yesterday (2 September) right after the landslide occurred.

While the 56-year-old was travelling from his workplace in Toh Guan to his home in Clementi, he saw that the street lamps along the Ulu Pandan park connector were not lit.

Shortly after that, he found out from two migrant workers that a landslide almost as large as a football field had completely broken the path he usually travels by. The landslide had also uprooted the street lamps and trees in the area, explaining why the park connector was pitch black.

If he had been there just a few minutes ago, he would have been hit directly by the landslide as well.

Other residents in the area who were interviewed also expressed that they will be taking note of their safety when they are in the area, while a cyclist said that it was “fortunate” that the landslide took place past midnight and not when there were many people in the area.

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Featured Image: Facebook (Sim Ann 沈颖)