Read on Twitter
1/ Heavy rains & flash floods - a thread on SG and the climate crisis
2/ there was a heavy rain warning today & I don’t think there are any flash floods today (tbh idk how to read @PUBsingapore ‘s flood risk tweet). But I wanted to talk bout flash floods today.
3/ heres a recap of flash floods this year: a June, Nov highlight reel.
4/ a bit of a history lessons, according to Wiki we’ve had about 40 - and counting - days of flash floods since 2010. (missing 2014 numbers though, why?)
5/ While we don’t face hurricanes and typhoons, a lot of our flash floods are influenced by the heavy rains brought by some of these disasters nearby. These disasters are getting worse cos climate change. The destruction that these disasters bring is immense, and it’s hurts us 2.
6/ We joke about the “once in 50 years flood” comment by then-Minister Yaacob Ibrahim. But more needs to be said about this...badly-worded/reported/explained statement.
7/ “But that is not to say that we have just been incredibly unlucky with our flooding. It may very well be that climate change has rendered the initial estimate irrelevant.“ - https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/idea-50-year-flood-has-been-misunderstood
8/ PUB said that water levels in drains and canals of the following areas have reached 90 per cent of capacity. Unusually high rainfall gon b our new normal thO https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/rain-heavy-singapore-floods-2020-climate-change-monsoon-13472548
9/ let’s not jump too quick to the conclusion that this is due to poor urban planning. Our drainage systems have been pretty top-notch. But it’s threshold to cope is being tested as rains get more frequent and more intense.
10/ But let’s not discount the impact of climate change though. These floods are no surprise. The rains are only going to get worse and more unpredictable and erratic with climate change. We know this.
11/ Oh but that’s not to say we have done enough planning. In fact it’s not just drainage planning we need, there’s an imperative for a more ambitious green masterplan now?
12/ it means we need to start planning every aspect of our country to cope with its impact (adaptation), and stop it from getting worse (mitigation) + consider its intersectionalities its impact on HDB dwellers, lived realities, communities affected - and not just the engineering
13/ Ok la, tbh the weather quite shiok but doesn’t this all scare you?? That weathers are going all wonky and also let’s not forget - people have and will be hurt by these changes.
14/ The impacts on agriculture that we depend on (overseas) and their communities are clear. but if we look at Singapore specifically, we are not spared.
15/ Most obvious (or most-reported), there are fiscal costs to businesses. See June 2010 Orchard Road flooding.
16/ residents r affected 2. Low-lying areas. Paya Lebar residents received “Dam Easy” in Nov to cope. Idk how much we need to be spending to keep plugging these “gaps” as they surface. https://mothership.sg/2020/11/dam-easy-flood-panels-paya-lebar-flash-floods/
17/ If we think about the day-to-day, slippery floors are not great for demographics that are more injury-prone and vulnerable. Not to mention...dengue risks.
18/ MP Joan Pereira actually asked a question about rain and HDB doors. I don’t say this often, but this one deserves attention. https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-matters/q-as/view/written-answer-by-ministry-of-national-development-on-protection-from-rainwater-for-hdb-flats
19/ lets not forget this National Day Rally graphic of #sealevelrise - how leh.
20/ the rain is only gonna be more frequent and more intense. Does Singapore need more sheltered walkways? Can. But really, more #ClimateAction 
PLEASE. MUST SAY HOW MANY TIMES!!
PLEASE. MUST SAY HOW MANY TIMES!!
21/ (Tbh would rather have trees cos the shelter doesn’t account for the rain backsplash and wind, my god.)
22/ In case you’re wondering, here’s the list of flood prone areas as of May 2020. Just in case you need to plan your day (wear slippers, shorts and be safe) : https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/List_of_Flood_Prone_Areas_in_Singapore.pdf or follow @PUBsingapore for flood numbers.
23/ ok this is a messy quick take but the rain got me in a mood to talk about the climate.
