Everyone should prepare for wilder weather in Singapore, not wait for top-down fixes

SINGAPORE – Flash floods over the past few months, caused by heavy rain and a recent monsoon surge, serve as a harbinger of what is to come when climate change unleashes its full impact on the island-state in the future.

While the occasional intense rain is not unusual for the north-east monsoon season, the wet season between November and January is expected to get wetter by up to 58 per cent by the end of the century despite a low-carbon emissions scenario.

The report on Singapore’s third national climate change study, released in 2024, says that daily extreme rainfall between April and May – among the drier months now – could almost double by the end of the century. Coastal flooding caused by rising seas is another threat.

Yet, every flash flood, including on days of spikes in temperature, tends to catch people off guard. Outdoor plans are scuppered and businesses affected. There is a sense of helplessness, and this should not evolve into resignation to the elements.

Are Singaporeans prepared for wilder weather, or are we too reliant on “top-down” fixes?

Certainly, the Government needs to take the lead, with early warning systems in place to alert the public about erratic weather or a heatwave, and first responders such as national water agency PUB’s Quick Response Team deployed when a flood hits.

More than $100 billion is expected to be spent over the next 100 years on coastal protection, including the planned Long Island, an offshore development to protect the low-lying East Coast area.

But these measures will take time to materialise. Innovative ways to cool a city need to be tested before they can be cemented as policies.

There is also a limit to how much infrastructure can be expanded. While Singapore has been investing in drainage upgrading projects over the years, we cannot indefinitely expand, widen or deepen our drains due to space constraints, a PUB official has said.

So, shouldn’t people build personal resilience as well?

Personal preparation starts with simple things such as checking the weather forecast at least a couple of hours before making outdoor plans. The myENV is an all-in-one portal that provides information on weather, heat stress, water disruptions and dengue clusters, among others.

If the heat stress levels are high, joggers may want to postpone their run to another time, or exercise in the gym.

PUB Flood Alerts on the Telegram messaging app gives a heads-up on areas to avoid if there is a flood risk, with updates on flash flood incidents. This would help commuters avoid flooded lanes. For safety, people should not touch electric switches or appliances if they are soaked or standing in water.

Those living and working in flood-prone areas may be better able to cope with such events. They should have at hand gear to keep out water, such as inflatable flood bags and flood barriers.

Coastal zones face a double whammy as they are also vulnerable to high tides. This was what happened in Jalan Seaview, in the Mountbatten area, on Jan 10 when a monsoon surge coincided with a high tide of 2.8m, triggering a flash flood. Jalan Seaview/Tanjong Katong Road South is listed as a flood-prone area in Singapore.

Having experienced flooding for more than two decades, one resident had a slope built outside her landed property to stop flood water from flowing into her house.

Climate impacts can worsen socio-economic inequalities, making it crucial for solutions to be tailored to different segments of society. Often, organisations such as senior care centres and grassroots volunteers are more attuned to residents’ circumstances and needs.

For example, elderly people are not able to regulate their body temperatures well, and some patients with dementia may become more irritated and confused in hotter, humid periods. At Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home, residents are taken to sensory rooms more frequently to calm them down in warmer weather, an official of the home said in 2023.  

Small businesses operate outdoors with just a tent or awning as shelter against the elements, from lashing rain to scorching heat.

Businesses in Chinese New Year bazaars and at the Chinatown Street Market were affected by the Jan 11 and 12 downpours, with some stalls reporting that their revenue dropped by more than 60 per cent.

Organisers should have a contingency plan in place to move the stalls indoors during intense rain, or help vendors set up an online store or hold a live-streaming sale.

In the past few years, Islam’s holy month of Ramadan has coincided with the hotter and drier months of the year between March and June. At Ramadan bazaars, vendors are exposed to not just the weather, but also the heat emanating from hot woks and grills – which may compound their discomfort and heat strain.

And most of the vendors would be fasting. Perhaps organisers could improve the area’s ventilation or set up misting systems.

Community groups can also gently correct the public on misconceptions about heat management.

Due to cultural beliefs, some seniors avoid drinking cold water, opting for “liang teh”, or herbal tea, as a remedy to cool down. But a warm or hot drink makes a person sweat more, and in Singapore’s humid climate, if the sweat does not evaporate, it will lead to overheating.

At a Tampines activity centre under the Kampung Senang Charity and Education Foundation, many seniors do not consume cold drinks to cool down. Mr Alan Phuang, assistant head of department for senior services at the Singapore Red Cross, tried to correct that misconception during a heat safety quiz in early January.

Ultimately, being prepared and building resilience could help to stave off climate anxiety.

• Shabana Begum is a correspondent, with a focus on environment and science, at The Straits Times.

Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.