Community efforts to bolster flood resilience ahead of the monsoon season.
As Singapore braces for the upcoming monsoon season and the effects of La Nina, more than 50 residents and business owners from the East region gathered at Victoria Junior College (VJC) on November 5 to discuss flood preparedness. The session was led by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who emphasized the importance of community flood resilience in light of increasingly extreme weather patterns caused by climate change.
A key topic of discussion was how to respond to floods. Suggestions included setting up evacuation routes in neighborhoods, creating emergency survival kits, and using community centers as holding areas. Notably, Siglap resident Reginald Thio proposed using vehicles that can operate both on land and water to aid in emergency evacuations and ensure that essential services can reach residents in flood-prone areas.
In addition to these discussions, attendees were shown images and videos of severe flooding events abroad, such as Typhoon Kong-rey in Taiwan and recent floods in Spain. The event also featured a demonstration of portable flood barriers by PUB engineers.
In light of recent flash floods, Singapore’s public agencies have been working to mitigate flood risks, with drainage upgrades and the distribution of flood protection gear. As part of ongoing efforts, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) distributes inflatable flood bags and other barriers to homes and businesses in flood-prone zones before the monsoon season. This session was part of Singapore’s first community exercise on climate threats, focusing on flood resilience.
