THE Public Utilities Board (PUB) is looking to fix the software glitch that caused two Orchard Road buildings to suffer from Sunday’s floods.
The two buildings most affected by the flood waters, Tanglin Mall and St Regis complex, did not receive the flood alerts that were sent to Orchard Road building owners.
As a result, shops in Tanglin Mall’s first floor and basement one were badly flooded. Three of its basement carparks were also affected.
Its Cold Storage’s Market Place supermarket was also flooded and had part of its false ceiling collapse. It remained closed yesterday.
St Regis Residences saw some 40 cars being partially submerged in its basement three carpark. Many of them were luxury brands, including a Lamborghini, an Aston Martin and a Ferrari.
According to The Straits Times, the Orchard Road Business Association’ executive director Mr Steven Goh said another shopping mall, Forum The Shopping Mall was also not notified.
Some of its basement shops were flooded ankle-deep.
PUB had previously set up an alert system that would text message stakeholders whenever its sensors detected high water levels.
In a question and answer session with the media, the board said it had expanded its network of water level sensors from 32 to 90 in December 2010, and will increase them to 150 by the end of this year.
The sensors have been stalled at key canals and drains, and will provide timely information about water levels.
Schools and building managements in areas which have a history of flooding are also sent SMS alerts.
Mr Goh also expressed disappointment that the flood has happened again after last year’s floods farther up Orchard Road.
He told The Straits Times that he suspected efforts to raise roads and prevent flooding had transferred the problem from mainstream Orchard to the outskirts where Tanglin Mall is located.
However, PUB said the work did not contribute to Sunday’s floodings and the situation would have been much worse without it.
It told The Straits Times that huge amounts of rainfall flowing into the basements of buildings and inadequate internal drainage pumps were to blame.
The two buildings most affected by the flood waters, Tanglin Mall and St Regis complex, did not receive the flood alerts that were sent to Orchard Road building owners.
As a result, shops in Tanglin Mall’s first floor and basement one were badly flooded. Three of its basement carparks were also affected.
Its Cold Storage’s Market Place supermarket was also flooded and had part of its false ceiling collapse. It remained closed yesterday.
St Regis Residences saw some 40 cars being partially submerged in its basement three carpark. Many of them were luxury brands, including a Lamborghini, an Aston Martin and a Ferrari.
According to The Straits Times, the Orchard Road Business Association’ executive director Mr Steven Goh said another shopping mall, Forum The Shopping Mall was also not notified.
Some of its basement shops were flooded ankle-deep.
PUB had previously set up an alert system that would text message stakeholders whenever its sensors detected high water levels.
In a question and answer session with the media, the board said it had expanded its network of water level sensors from 32 to 90 in December 2010, and will increase them to 150 by the end of this year.
The sensors have been stalled at key canals and drains, and will provide timely information about water levels.
Schools and building managements in areas which have a history of flooding are also sent SMS alerts.
He told The Straits Times that he suspected efforts to raise roads and prevent flooding had transferred the problem from mainstream Orchard to the outskirts where Tanglin Mall is located.
However, PUB said the work did not contribute to Sunday’s floodings and the situation would have been much worse without it.
It told The Straits Times that huge amounts of rainfall flowing into the basements of buildings and inadequate internal drainage pumps were to blame.
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