MM Lee: No amount of engineering can prevent floods

This was Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's response to the recent spate of flash floods that affected many areas in Singapore, including Bukit Timah, Orchard Road and Thomson Road.

MM Lee was speaking on the sidelines of his visit to the Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront and the River Vista at Kallang, two new projects under the Public Utility Board's Active, Beautiful and Clean - or ABC - Waters Programme.

He said: "Whatever we do, when we get extraordinary rainfall - like we had recently - no amount of engineering can prevent flooding.

"There is a limited amount of space that you can dig underground, there is a limited amount of space that you can have run-offs for canals. And if you have extraordinary rainfall, well, you've got to prepare for it.

"But of course, everyone expects everything to be perfect - Singaporeans expect everything to be perfect - which we try to do, but some things which are beyond any... it is "Act of God". Unless you want to lose half the roads and have canals." ...more.

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» MM Lee: No amount of engineering can prevent floods

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