Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore has to “build in buffers”, and be prepared to adjust its flood prevention plans as new climate data emerges.
Earlier this week, national water agency PUB announced plans to build a detention water tank and diversion canal at the Stamford Canal catchment to better deal with intense storms and flash floods.
Asked if such measures would also be considered for other canals, Dr Balakrishnan said as far as the climate is concerned, Singapore has to prepare for a more uncertain future.
“In the future that comes, we expect greater volatility and greater intensity of rain… We will have to upgrade our infrastructure accordingly,” he said.
“There’s a fair amount of uncertainty because you cannot predict the future… But you have to be prepared, you have to be ready to evolve as needs evolve accordingly,” he added.
Dr Balakrishnan was speaking at the National Environment Agency’s 10th anniversary charity run.
Some 2,100 people took part in the event, which included a 10 kilometre run and 1 kilometre fun walk.
Held at the Gardens by the Bay, the event also raised over S$460,000 for the Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Another feature of the charity run was a terrarium display, which set a new entry in the Singapore Book of Records with over 1,400 terrariums on show.
Every terrarium will be given to a child suffering from cancer as it symbolises hope and will allow the children to cherish nature.
