Exclusive: How Singapore is predicting floods

By Yun Xuan Poon

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PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, has built an extensive drainage system to hold rainwater, and is using IoT sensors to keep it there. The sensors monitor water levels in the drains and provide early warning on likelihood of drain overflow.

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The team at PUB uses data analytics to identify flooding hotspots in the country, such as low-lying areas. On-the-ground flood response teams can then better prepare when heavy rains hit.

PUB is continually gathering data to understand rainfall and stormwater flow patterns. Yeo Keng Soon, Director of the Catchment and Waterways Department shares that his team is looking to AI to predict heavy rains more accurately.

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The water agency will also turn to natural solutions to protect its shorelines. These include using mangroves to dissipate wave energy, and living shorelines to promote biodiversity, Khoo shares. Currently, more than 70 per cent of Singapore’s coastline is protected from erosion by waves with hard structures, such as concrete seawalls and rock slopes, she adds.