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In the 1960s and 1970s, Singapore faced frequent and widespread flooding during the monsoon seasons, particularly in the city centre, which was situated on relatively low-lying land. Flooding also occurred in low-lying coastal areas, such as Katong and Geylang, when heavy rainfall coincided with high tides. Some of these floods resulted in water levels reaching up to waist level!
Since then, Singapore has made significant progress in flood management. Flood-prone areas, which are low-lying areas with a history of flooding, have been reduced from about 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to less than 30 hectares today. This is due to decades of continued efforts and substantial investments in expanding and enhancing Singapore’s drainage network and infrastructure to mitigate flood risk.
Check out the list of flood-prone areas (as of 31 Jan 2024).
Coastal flooding occurs when rising sea levels, storm surges, and/or high tides lead to the inundation of low-lying coastal areas. We are already experiencing coastal flooding at locations such as East Coast Park, when high tide coincides with heavy rain.
• High tides: If you are a beach lover, you would have noticed that Singapore generally experiences two high tides (and two low tides) every day. During high tides, sea levels may go up by as much as 3.5m. Coupled with permanent sea level rise, this may result in temporary flooding along coastal areas.
• Storm surges: Storm surges are due to the combined effect of intense low pressure at the centre of a tropical cyclone and sustained strong winds, which could raise sea level at our shoreline. On average, Singapore experiences 2-4 storm surges each year.
• Land subsidence: Land subsidence is the gradual sinking of the ground due to both natural processes and human activities. In Singapore’s coastal areas, land subsidence could lead to higher relative sea levels and increased flood risk in the long run. While land subsidence is not expected to be significant, it is a factor taken into consideration when planning for coastal protection, in addition to mean sea level rise, tides and storm surges.
Coastal flooding occurs when rising sea levels, storm surges, and/or high tides lead to the inundation of low-lying coastal areas. We are already experiencing coastal flooding at locations such as East Coast Park, when high tide coincides with heavy rain.
• High tides: If you are a beach lover, you would have noticed that Singapore generally experiences two high tides (and two low tides) every day. During high tides, sea levels may go up by as much as 3.5m. Coupled with permanent sea level rise, this may result in temporary flooding along coastal areas.
• Storm surges: Storm surges are due to the combined effect of intense low pressure at the centre of a tropical cyclone and sustained strong winds, which could raise sea level at our shoreline. On average, Singapore experiences 2-4 storm surges each year.
• Land subsidence: Land subsidence is the gradual sinking of the ground due to both natural processes and human activities. In Singapore’s coastal areas, land subsidence could lead to higher relative sea levels and increased flood risk in the long run. While land subsidence is not expected to be significant, it is a factor taken into consideration when planning for coastal protection, in addition to mean sea level rise, tides and storm surges.
As our climate changes, so do our weather patterns. Rainfall is becoming more frequent, intense, and unpredictable, which could overwhelm our drainage systems and cause flash floods. At the same time, our sea levels are rising, which could inundate our low-lying coastal areas.
💡 What is sea level rise?
Sea level rise—the long-term increase in the average level of the world's oceans—is happening right here, right now.
The burning of fossil fuels over time has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, trapping heat from the sun and warming our planet like extra blankets. As global temperatures rise, the polar ice caps and glaciers in the Arctic are melting at an accelerated rate, increasing the amount of water in our oceans. Oceans are also absorbing a significant amount of heat, causing water to expand and further contributing to the rise in sea levels worldwide.
As a coastal city, Singapore is surrounded by water. Like many other coastal cities in the world, such as Jakarta and New York, we face the immediate threats of flooding from sea level rise. On average, Singapore’s mean sea level rises 3 to 4mm per year. If this continues, our mean sea level is projected to rise—permanently—by up to 1.15 metres by 2100.
Singapore also experiences other natural phenomena such as high tides, storm surges and gradual land subsidence. When all these factors are at play, they may trigger a spike in sea levels by up to 5 metres. About 30% of our island-city is less than 5 metres above mean sea level and will be most vulnerable to flooding as our mean sea level rises.
Singapore does not have abundant high grounds for our population to retreat to should severe coastal flooding happen.
In April 2020, PUB was appointed the national coastal protection agency to lead, coordinate and explore whole-of-government efforts to protect Singapore’s coastlines. PUB’s mission, to resist rising seas, will see us working closely with government agencies, experts, the community, and various stakeholders, including businesses and interest groups, to co-develop measures to protect Singapore from the threat of sea level rise.
