FLOOD AREAS AND FLOOD WARNINGS

Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether his Ministry will publish a pamphlet with a map showing the areas in Singapore subject to flood at times (a) when there is heavy rain, (b) when heavy rain coincides with high tides, and containing guidance on alternative routes to persons who normally travel through such areas; and whether he will request the assistance of the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Broadcasting in order to give early warning on flooded areas and frequent guidance on alternative routes at times of flood so that workers and school children will not be delayed on their way to or from places of work and school.

Mr E. W. Barker: The Ministry of National Development has prepared maps showing the areas affected by floods early this year and the depths of the floods. These maps have been circulated to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior and Defence. This information, if necessary, could be published in the form of a pamphlet for the guidance of the general public. However, a pamphlet alone would be inadequate to alleviate problems caused by floods.

Both the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Broadcasting have assisted in past floods in giving early warning on flooded areas and guidance on alternative routes at times of floods. Even the Army has assisted by transporting school children in badly affected area. However, these are only flood relief measures.

The real answer to the problem is to eradicate flooding completely. This is a difficult task but is being attended to. In fact several projects are being undertaken to eradicate or reduce flooding in certain areas, like the cutting of two canals in two phases from Bukit Timah Road to deviate the storm waters to Ulu Pandan and Kallang.