PUB trials new flood barrier that can be deployed by residents, shop owners amid monsoon season

SINGAPORE — Singapore's national water agency PUB is trialling a new portable flood barrier during the ongoing monsoon season, which is expected to persist into the first month of 2021.

A total of 20 new Floodgate barriers, which are able to block flash floods from entering buildings through doorways and entrances, were purchased from Britain, PUB said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 30).

They are intended to be used as a watertight seal in areas where water can enter the building, and can be linked with other barriers to fit wider entrances. They can also be installed easily by residents and tenants, said the PUB.

Floodgate is designed to hold back floodwaters as high as 68cm. It weighs between 13kg and 21kg, depending on the size.

Each device has a market price tag between S$800 and S$2,200, though PUB did not reveal how much it paid for them.

Currently, 15 are on loan to residents at Upper Paya Lebar Road for the trial, which will test the performance of these devices, the agency added.

So far, the prevailing monsoon season has led to seven flash floods in Singapore this year, including a 20-minute episode on Nov 7 along Aljunied Road after heavy rains overwhelmed roadside drains.

Said Mr Yeo Keng Soon, PUB director of catchment and waterways department: "Flash floods these days are more localised and typically subsides within 30 minutes. However, we are also seeing more frequent rainfall events that are not just bringing increased rainwater but also more intense storms.

"With climate change, we must be prepared to deal with and enhance community resilience to flash flood occurrences as it is not always possible to widen or deepen our drains to eliminate floods."

Apart from Floodgate, PUB has deployed and trialled other temporary flood control barriers in recent years. In 2019, it introduced the use of the Dam Easy Flood Panel and the Portable Flood Barrier — which work in a similar fashion to block water ingress and have also been loaned out to residents and shop owners.

The new device offers PUB more flexibility in tackling flash floods — Floodgates are slightly smaller than existing options, but can be significantly lighter, said Mr Lee Cai Jie, the department's senior principal engineer, in a media demonstration.

PUB also uses water level sensors and an array of closed-circuit television cameras to monitor flooding in Singapore, and has a quick response team on standby to respond to any flash floods, the agency said.

Residents and shop owners are encouraged to sign up for its flood risk alerts, which will allow them to take preparatory actions — including borrowing flood barriers from PUB — before the flooding occurs.

The agency also reminded construction firms to ensure proper earth-control and drainage measures are carried out, adding that it has stepped up inspections of construction sites during the monsoon season.