Monsoon Management
Lessons from Singapore
**Thea Guliani
In the wake of the most recent monsoon onslaught in Delhi, this is time to take stock. In an average monsoon, floods affect 75 lakh hectares of land, 1600 lives are lost and the damage caused to crops, houses, and public utilities is Rs.1805 crores due to floods according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). As someone who was raised in Singapore, the effects of the monsoon were a novel experience: leaving work early so as not to get stuck in floods or traffic, keeping all doors open to leave quickly if it does flood, walking upstairs instead of using a lift because of the fear of getting stuck. This is not the kind of life anyone should have. Sadly, it took a monsoon whose waves lapped the shores of the ‘better parts’ of the capital to bring this issue into sharper relief. Given its outsize impact on the ability of Indians to lead a dignified life, fixing urban drainage systems should be seen as a moral challenge as profound as eliminating poverty and disease.
Outdated drainage systems and poor planning need a bottom-up overhaul. Not only is the rain not going to stop, but with climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events the world over, the intensity as well as the unpredictability will only increase. If we do not stay up to date then we will face a multiplier effect with this crisis. Understandably, a city as old as Delhi faces challenges when it comes to infrastructure due to population density, urbanization, and increasing affluence. However, the flooding in Delhi is due to misguided development practices and the obstruction of the Yamuna River’s natural flow, which is not an inevitable trend but a fixable problem.
The lack of coordination among various governmental agencies worsens the problem, leading to inefficiencies in flood management. It was revealed that over 90% of Indian cities experience water logging during monsoon season, which is extremely disruptive to the flow of work life and education. The Indian government has launched various initiatives aimed at improving urban infrastructure and reducing flood risks, such as the Smart Cities Mission and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), but these efforts are yet to bear fruit.
The example of Singapore can light the path. It is often said that Singapore has two seasons: rain and shine. It is an island with heavy and consistent rains, but flooding is rare and property destruction even rarer. How does Singapore achieve this? Singapore has implemented a wide range of systems to prevent floods, some of which should not be hard to replicate. Singapore employs a dual drainage system comprising public and private networks. Public drains managed by national agencies like PUB (the Public Utilities Board) handle rainwater from roads, while private drains within properties manage water from individual buildings. There is an extensive network of canals, rivers, and reservoirs that have been strategically positioned to collect rainwater and channel it efficiently out to sea. In Delhi, the Yamuna can be utilised for this purpose. In the low-lying areas of Singapore susceptible to flooding, pump stations equipped with powerful pumps work tirelessly to discharge rainwater swiftly into the sea during heavy downpours. Even with all these measures, Singapore is not wholly immune to flooding. However, the key difference is the swift response by the PUB. PUB staff reach the affected area with personnel to help the people immediately. For instance, on November 28 2023, when there was a flash flood in an area called Jurong West, the PUB quickly announced on Facebook that its quick response teams were on site to help the public. They added that they had also issued flood risk alerts for six locations. The PUB can detect floods through advanced sensors and real-time monitoring systems across the island that provide early warnings of potential flooding allowing authorities to respond swiftly and manage water levels effectively. This also allows real-time flash flood updates and warns the citizens of Singapore off certain roads or expressways.
Integrating green spaces with water management systems also helps absorb and store rainwater naturally, reducing runoff and enhancing urban resilience.
The PUB’s efforts go far beyond immediate disaster management. It engages the public through education campaigns on flood prevention measures, such as keeping drains clear of debris and maintaining private drainage systems. The neighbourhood committees and residents are encouraged to participate in initiatives like regular drain cleaning exercises and reporting drainage issues promptly. These small acts help immensely in reducing issues with flooding. An example of this is the initiative of a group of architecture students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) who reconstructed an area prone to flooding in Singapore by elevating the floors. This initiative was a part of a community-led initiative called Revitalising Ubin as Living Kampang, a project funded by the National Parks Board.
The PUB continues to innovate with climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable drainage solutions to adapt to changing weather patterns, this is essential for this ever-changing climate. Even with all the sustainability goals in the world there is no denying that climate change is going to worsen, increasing green and blue infrastructure initiatives, such as rain gardens and retention ponds, can help enhance flood resilience while promoting biodiversity and urban aesthetics.
The focus on sustainable urban planning helps Singapore stay ahead of potential flooding issues. There is no denying that Singapore is a much smaller country, with a smaller population and citizens. Nevertheless, there can be no harm in learning the basics from one of Asia’s best-run cities in order to help India’s people survive and thrive in the era of climate change. Indian cities should consider:
- Adopting Singapore’s integrated water management approach, and promoting collaboration among agencies for effective drainage and stormwater systems.
- Investing in drainage infrastructure, and prioritising upgrades in urban planning to handle heavy rainfall and flooding.
- Strengthening enforcement, and ensuring building codes and drainage regulations are followed to reduce flooding risks.
- Engaging communities, promoting rainwater harvesting, and preventing drain blockages to enhance flood management.
Even if it will take time to rebuild Delhi, new colonies can be created from scratch as models that incorporate these solutions, which will give the government an idea of what is necessary and allow them to troubleshoot these issues without endangering lives, so that our citizens can enjoy rain rather than fear the monsoon season.
**Thea Guliani is a student at the United World College South East Asia, Singapore.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily align with the views of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
