PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, has launched its second annual flood resilience campaign ahead of the northeast monsoon season. The campaign focuses on community preparedness and uses refreshed visuals and the F.L.A.S.H. mnemonic to help residents, motorists and building owners respond effectively during heavy rainfall.
Singapore’s urban density and limited land for drainage expansion mean intense storms can exceed system capacity, making public readiness a critical part of Singapore’s flood resilience as climate pressures increase.
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How Singapore’s monitoring upgrades strengthen flood resilience
PUB continues expanding its island-wide monitoring network to support faster and more accurate detection of rising water levels. The agency uses data from more than 1,000 water level sensors, over 500 CCTV cameras, rain gauges, radar systems and flood response vehicles to track conditions across Singapore. To further enhance Singapore’s flood resilience, PUB will install 650 additional water level sensors by the end of 2028, giving roughly one sensor per kilometre of major waterways and canals and supporting faster deployment of Quick Response Teams during storms.
PUB Deputy Chief Executive of the Flood Resilience cluster, Angela Koh, said improved monitoring is central to PUB’s work.
“Flood monitoring and response is one of the key areas of PUB’s work to mitigate the impact of flooding incidents. These sensors also support post-flood investigations and help us better assess the effectiveness of our drainage infrastructure,” Koh said.
Data from the network feeds PUB’s Smart Drainage Grid, which integrates water level and rainfall information to identify flood causes and recommend improvement measures.
PUB is also collaborating with the Hydroinformatics Institute and StarHub on a project using cellular network signals to improve rainfall intensity estimates, with completion expected at the end of 2025. The agency is working with Google to integrate flood alerts into Google Maps, complementing existing partnerships with Grab and the Land Transport Authority’s in-vehicle units to provide real-time route planning during heavy rain.
How community engagement supports Singapore flood resilience
Strengthening community readiness remains central to PUB’s approach. PUB recently held a “Let’s Get Flood Wise” workshop with Siglap community groups to develop ways for residents to support one another during flash floods. The agency also conducted flood preparedness drills at a distribution substation on Enterprise Road and at the Ba’alwie Mosque in Bukit Timah, both of which have experienced flooding. Engagements with schools in flood-prone areas are underway to develop tailored protocols that help students and staff respond safely during sudden heavy rainfall.
These programs aim to build confidence and ensure that people know how to act when alerts are issued. PUB said widespread community understanding is essential to Singapore’s flood resilience, especially in areas where water levels can rise quickly during intense storms.
How infrastructure upgrades contribute to long-term readiness
Drainage infrastructure improvements continue in parallel with monitoring and community outreach. PUB is upgrading canals and roadside drains in areas such as Bukit Timah, where drainage constraints have historically contributed to localised flooding. PUB also delivers targeted site-specific interventions, including diversion pipes to redirect stormwater, and weirs and flood guard rails to slow flows and reduce localised impacts.
PUB said that major drainage upgrades require long planning and construction timelines, but that targeted measures can reduce impacts in the interim. The agency emphasised that Singapore’s flood resilience requires coordinated action between the government, the community and businesses to prepare for more extreme weather.
Through enhanced monitoring, real-time alerts, community engagement and targeted upgrades, PUB said Singapore’s flood resilience will continue to strengthen. Residents are encouraged to review Get Flood Wise resources and stay alert during the monsoon season.