Copied from another forum.Straits Times 3 Nov 07
PUB ready as rainy season approaches
By Tania Tan
KEEP those umbrellas and raincoats handy as the wet season approaches.
Afternoon and late evening showers will be frequent during the north-east monsoon period, which is expected to begin in November and last till January, said the National Environment Agency's Meteorological Services Division yesterday.
December and January are the wettest months of the year. In addition to the afternoon and late evening showers, a steady strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, known as a monsoon surge, typically occurs a few times during the season.
These monsoon surges tend to bring prolonged moderate to heavy rain, usually lasting a few days, to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, added the weatherman.
The public can obtain the latest weather reports, including warnings of heavy rain, by calling the NEA's weather forecast hotline on 6542-7788, or visiting its website
www.nea.gov.sg.
The public can also call PUB-One at 1800-284-6600 or tune in to radio broadcasts to check the weather and flood situation.
To prepare for the rainy season, PUB, the national water agency, has also sent out flood advisories to about 600 residents and shop owners in low-lying areas, including Chinatown, Tanjong Katong, Geylang, Jalan Besar and Lorong Buangkok.
'In Singapore, rainfall tends to be intense and flash floods are expected in these low-lying areas when heavy rains coincide with high tides. The residents and shop owners are advised to take the necessary precautions should there be a flash flood,' said Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB's director of catchment and waterways.
PUB is also carrying out works aimed at reducing flash floods by up to 30 per cent.
The Marina Barrage, together with three other drainage improvement projects islandwide, are expected to reduce flood-prone areas in Singapore from 130ha to less than 100ha when completed next year.
The barrage will help maintain a constant water level in the future Marina reservoir, keeping city areas flood-free.
Construction works at Cuscaden Road, Olive Road and Joan Road in the Thomson area, and Commonwealth Avenue are also well underway, announced the PUB yesterday.
The construction of a bigger canal at Commonwealth is already 80 per cent complete.
Low-lying areas such as Boat Quay, Chinatown and Jalan Besar can look forward to being relieved of flash floods even when it rains, added Mr Tan.