| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE : Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said no amount of engineering can prevent flooding.
He was speaking to reporters after touring the waterfront development at the Kallang and Kolam Ayer areas.
The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme is a long-term initiative which transforms Singapore's reservoirs and waterways into vibrant, aesthetically-pleasing rivers and lakes.
Mr Lee was given an update on the developments in the area which included a 250-metre stretch of the Kallang River.
But the river's condition caught Mr Lee's attention.
He said: "The pity is with the recent rains, the water is a bit murky. But if we can find some way to prevent the silt from getting into the river, it will be bluer and cleaner at most times. You have to wait for two days (with) no rain for the silt to settle."
"But it is very beautiful. It adds to the ambience of the whole place, rather than have a dirty river, no broad walks. It shows a well cultivated and well-tended river side."
Mr Lee was asked if he thought the response from the various agencies to the recent spate of floods in Singapore was sufficient.
He replied: "How can you say that the response is sufficient? At the same time, whatever we do when we get extraordinary rains like we had recently, no amount of engineering can prevent flooding.
"There's a limited amount of space that's been dug underground, limited amount of space you can run off for canals and if you have an extraordinary rainfall, well you got to prepare for it."
Singaporeans have reacted strongly to the last three incidents of floods in different parts of the country.
The Minister Mentor acknowledged that Singapore and Singaporeans expect everything to be perfect in the country and he said the leaders tried their best to do just that.
Mr Lee added: "Somethings are beyond (that); it's an act of God unless you want to lose half the roads and have canals."
Today's visit also gave Mr Lee a glimpse of some activities like kayaking that take place along the Kallang River.
Mr Lee was accompanied by the Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim and grassroots leaders.
- CNA/al
|
