ST Forum : Developers must bear cost of flood prevention steps

Nov 25, 2009

Developers must bear cost of flood prevention steps

MR CHRISTOPHER de Souza, the MP overseeing Bukit Timah, was reported stating that he would be looking into getting the management of private buildings in the area to enhance measures to prevent flooding in their basement carparks ('Working on flood controls', Monday).

I am surprised that the residents and officials accompanying Mr de Souza did not discuss what could be done to eliminate the flooding problem to existing and future developments in the area.

Why must owners in these private buildings enhance measures? Should it not be the responsibility of the developers?

Developments alongside the Bukit Timah Canal are susceptible to flash floods judging from historical evidence. I am baffled that professional builders and developers did not take this fundamental problem into account when they started work on the projects. If they had done their due diligence, residents would not have been so unpleasantly affected by last Thursday's deluge.

We are told that widening of the canals has been ongoing for many years. Yet, the flooding problem has not stopped.

Ultimately, the people responsible for flood safety are the developers and their professional consultants. It is they, and not the residents, who should bear the cost of repairs and preventive measures.

Michael Yeo