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WITH the North-east Monsoon season predicted to land in late November, the national water agency, PUB, have begun a series of measures to alleviate flash floods affecting Singaporeans living in low lying areas.
Over 6,000 residents and shop owners have been advised to take the necessary precautions should there be a flash flood.
PUB has also announced that its flood alleviation projects are on track with the Marina Barrage - the earliest to be completed - to begin operations in by next year.
Other projects at Cuscaden Road, Olive/Joan Road and Commonwealth Avenue are also making good progress.
At Cuscaden Road,the drainage improvement works and final road raising now in progress will be completed by the end of the year.
The construction of the bigger canal at Commonwealth Avenue is also about 80 per cent completed.
Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB's Director of Catchment and Waterways, hopes that with the completion of these projects, 'low-lying areas such as Boat Quay, Chinatown, Jalan Besar and Geylang can expect to be relieved of flash floods.'
PUB will also be conducting weekly inspection of drains at major construction sites to ensure that they are not blocked, plus checks on 'hot spots' by surveillance teams to ensure that drainage outlets are clear whenever rain is predicted by the National Environemt Agency (NEA).
The public can contribute by not littering, said Mr Tan, as rubbish will be 'washed into the drains and drainage holes when it rains, causing blockages that prevent the water from flowing freely, resulting in localised flash floods.'
NEA will issue warnings through the media when heavy rain or prolonged monsoon rain is expected so that residents can be better prepared.
The public can obtain the latest weather reports, including heavy rain warnings, by calling the NEA's weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788, or visiting 'Weather Report' at their website.
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