Eh, you remember the time PUB called Orchard Road floods “ponding”? Singaporeans haven’t forgotten! But seriously, when did we start calling it “flooding” instead? Let’s talk about Singapore’s relationship with rainwater and how we talk about it.
Current Water Situation in SG
- Singapore experiences occasional flooding, particularly during monsoon season.
I remember many years ago when PUB insisted to call a flood at Orchard Road as “ponding”, and also insisted it was a once-in-fifty-years occurrence. Even now on our local reddits, there’s still people making fun of this term.
- While flooding in Singapore is often ankle-deep and subsides quickly, it still causes disruption and concern.
The problem is the NEA guy last time thought he communicating to civil engineers instead of the general public.
- Recent reports show that Jurong West experienced the highest rainfall during a recent monsoon surge, highlighting the ongoing risk.
Problems with Terminology Use
- The use of “ponding” was perceived as downplaying the severity of the situation.
Problem is average joe isn’t going to understand the difference between ponding and flooding. Ponding just sounds like its downplaying the issue cos ur average auntie/uncle isn’t a civil engineer. Its just poor crisis comms.
- Focusing on technical definitions can alienate the public and erode trust.
Technically, what happened in Orchard Road years ago *was* ponding.
The problem was that PUB was being so anal about terminology instead of fixing the actual problem of water being where it was not supposed to be. Vivian B had to step in and say ‘let’s just call a spade a spade’.
- Singaporeans expect authorities to address the root causes of flooding, not just quibble over words.
Actionable Solutions for Mitigation
- Authorities should prioritize clear and transparent communication about flood risks and mitigation efforts.
however, from a PR perspective, it simply sounded like the authorities were trying to downplay it. I think we see now that any type of flooding has to simply be published as flooding , or flash flood.
- Continuous investment in drainage infrastructure is crucial to managing rainwater effectively.
- While Singapore’s flooding is generally less severe than in neighboring countries, ongoing vigilance and proactive measures are essential. Remember, prevention is better than cure!
- Community awareness campaigns can help residents prepare for and respond to potential floods.
