Part of Ulu Pandan park connector in Clementi closed after landslide, passer-by injured

SINGAPORE — A part of the Ulu Pandan park connector in Clementi has been closed off and a passer-by sustained minor injuries after a landslide in the early hours on Friday (Sept 2).

“A male passer-by, who suffered some minor injuries and was attended to at site, is now resting at home,” said the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in a statement on Friday.

Pictures and videos circulating online showed a large amount of soil spilling into Ulu Pandan Canal.

HDB said the landslide occurred at the construction site of Build-to-Order (BTO) flats in Clementi, resulting in soil displacement into Sungei Ulu Pandan and causing damage to the Ulu Pandan park connector.

“As part of our safety process and precautionary measures, we have checked the nearby completed, but yet to be occupied, blocks and confirmed that they remain structurally sound,” HDB added.

In an evening update, HDB said 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". The affected area is located away from the residential blocks of the project.

"We will keep flat buyers updated should there be any changes to the completion date of their flats," HDB added.

In a Facebook post on Friday morning, Ms Sim Ann, Member of Parliament for the area, said the site of the landslide has been cordoned off for public safety. She advised residents to stay clear of the area.

She said in a post later in the day that no damage to utilities was detected, adding that she does not expect utilities in the surrounding area to be affected.

She also said that some new owners of the BTO flats have asked her if key collection to their units at Clementi NorthArc, which is bounded by Commonwealth Avenue West and Clementi Avenue 6, will be affected.

"For now, HDB sees no reason for delay to key collection beyond what has already been communicated to home owners, the first batch being planned for December."

The Building and Construction Authority said that it has issued a stop-work order to the site builder. As an immediate measure, the builder and professional engineer are required to carry out slope stabilisation measures and monitor the soil movement. 

The National Parks Board in a Facebook post said that this will mean that both banks of Sungei Pandan, from Commonwealth Avenue West (near Ghim Moh Road) to Ayer Rajah Expressway, will be closed to facilitate slope repair works from Friday till further notice. 

Water, however, can still flow in Sungei Ulu Pandan. HDB is working on removing the soil that had spilled into the canal, added national water agency PUB in a statement. 

“Water quality in the nearest reservoir, Pandan Reservoir, is not affected by this incident,” said PUB, adding that it had deployed quick response teams on standby in the event of any potential flooding due to heavy rainfall.

Investigations are ongoing.