'While floods are inevitable, watching parts of the country submerged is not.'
MR TOH CHENG SEONG: 'The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and PUB should set up a task force to alleviate the problem. While floods in the tropics are inevitable, watching parts of the country, especially Orchard Road, submerged is not. Singapore is widely regarded as one of the most liveable cities in the world. The flash floods remind us that more needs to be done before we can live up to that accolade.'
'Could it be Marina Barrage?'
MR ONG TIONG MENG: 'I grew up when flooding was a way of life before the problem was solved some 20 years ago. Now the problem is back regularly. What has changed? Could it be the Marina Barrage? As an engineer, I would have thought that the discharge into the sea would be more efficient without the barrier. Despite the comment that there are six high-flow pumps that can discharge the water into the sea, I am less than sanguine. Perhaps PUB, the national water agency, should review its pump operations. Once heavy rainfall looms, the pumps should be started regardless of the level of water in the basin. This will lower the level of water in the basin and ease the flow of water from the drainage areas.'
