FLOODING (Prevention of)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology, in view of the recent widespread floods in which six people died and hundreds of families were affected, what plans the Government has to provide drainage facilities to prevent flooding in the affected areas in the future.

The Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, the storm of 2nd December last year was the heaviest ever recorded, where 512mm or 20 inches of rainfall were recorded at Paya Lebar within 24 hours. This is exceptional because almost one-quarter of our annual average rainfall fell on that one day.

Sir, our drains and canals are not designed to cope with such rainfall. It is not practical nor economical, from the project cost and land use aspects, to build extra large canals to meet exceptional or infrequent heavy storms. Last year we spent $13 million to widen and deepen drains. This year we expect to spend another $18 million. But despite all this we can only alleviate, but we cannot eradicate, floods.

Mr Ho See Beng (Khe Bong): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am given to understand that the Government is building a second canal in Bras Basah area, which was my former constituency. May I ask the Minister whether this work has begun, if so, when will it be completed, and how much money is involved?

Mr Barker: Sir, the work began in August last year. It will cost $32 million. The project will be completed in 1982, and it should alleviate flooding in the Orchard Road area.

The first contract, from Kramat Lane to Queen Street, has been given out and work is being done in front of the Istana and the Plaza Singapura. The second contract, from Orange Grove Road to Grange Road, will be called early this year; and the third contract, from Grange Road to Kramat Lane, will be called at the end of the year. The final contract, from Queen Street to Beach Road, will be called in about early 1980.

Mr Ivan Baptist (Potong Pasir): Mr Speaker, Sir, what prevented the Ministry of the Environment from hastening the flood alleviation work in Potong Pasir? Owing to the delay, Sir, much hardship has been caused to my constituents, especially in the Jalan Potong Pasir and Meyappa Chettiar Road areas.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, one of the contractors committed a breach of his contract. We had to get another contractor to do the job; hence the delay. But I have not got the details here as I did not expect a question from the Member for Potong Pasir about the details.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, since flood alleviation schemes can alleviate flooding in the areas concerned, would the Hon. Minister not look into the feasibility of formulating a conceptual plan to cover those affected areas with flood alleviation schemes?

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not easy. There are certain low lying areas in Singapore, like Geylang Serai and parts of Tampines, which are below the high tide level. All we can do is, when redevelopment takes place in these low lying areas, to raise the level of the land. Beyond that, there is not much we can do. Cutting more canals or widening the canals means money. It also means that there will be less land for other purposes. But, as I have said, we are spending quite a bit of money. We spent nearly $14 million last year to deepen and construct concrete drains and canals. This year we expect to spend another $18 million.