Synopsis
In 2025, Singapore will invest around 110 million USD for six new drainage projects as part of efforts to combat flash floods. Minister Grace Fu outlined the plans in parliament, emphasizing the need for shared responsibility in flood preparedness.Key Takeaways
- Singapore to invest 150 million SGD in drainage upgrades.
- Focus on six new projects to mitigate flash floods.
- 19 ongoing drainage improvement projects are active.
- Local flooding issues are generally short-lived.
- Proactive road maintenance has reduced potholes significantly.
Singapore, Feb 4 (NationPress) The nation is set to invest around 150 million Singapore dollars (approximately 110 million US dollars) for six new drainage enhancement initiatives in the fiscal year 2025. This move is part of ongoing strategies to alleviate flash flood risks, as stated by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu during a parliamentary session on Tuesday.
This announcement follows two monsoon surges in January that resulted in heavy rains and localized flooding. In reply to lawmakers' inquiries regarding flood prevention strategies, Fu mentioned that her ministry is currently assessing the nation's comprehensive drainage infrastructure plan for the forthcoming five-year period from fiscal 2026 to 2030.
At present, there are 19 active drainage improvement initiatives underway. The six new projects will focus on widening and deepening drainage systems.
Since 2011, the government has committed 2.5 billion Singapore dollars to enhance drainage infrastructure. However, Fu warned that it is “neither practical nor prudent” to continuously expand the drainage system due to the limited land resources available in Singapore, as reported by Xinhua.
“Such expansions would demand substantial land and financial resources, which could then be unavailable for other critical uses,” she emphasized, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility and urging the government, property owners, developers, and the broader community to “be ready for flash floods and adapt accordingly.”
Despite sporadic flash floods, Fu pointed out that most flood events in Singapore are localized and typically dissipate within an hour.
Additionally, nearly 100 potholes were noted across Singapore within the first 12 days of 2025 due to persistent heavy rainfall.
This number was significantly lower compared to the same timeframe in 2024, as reported by local media citing data from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Potholes typically form when water infiltrates cracks in road surfaces caused by normal wear and tear. These cracks tend to widen as vehicles pass over them, a situation worsened by extended periods of rainfall, as explained by an LTA spokesperson.
Proactive road maintenance has significantly decreased the number of potholes identified annually in recent times. According to LTA data, the count dropped from 9,702 potholes in 2021 to 3,013 in 2024.
