On October 4, 2023, residents and motorists in Marine Parade faced unexpected challenges as flooding engulfed the area, following an accidental strike on an underground water pipe during construction work. The incident, which occurred around 11:30 AM, left ankle-deep water in several streets, disrupting daily activities and raising concerns among local residents. This article explores the cause of the flooding, the responses from local authorities, and the impact on the community.
The Cause of the Flooding
Accidental Damage During Construction
The flooding resulted from an underground water pipe being accidentally damaged by workers from Pal-Link Construction, who were engaged in retrofitting works at a lift shaft near Block 67 Marine Drive. Marine Parade Citizens’ Consultative Committee assistant secretary Yusof Abdul Lateef confirmed that the construction crew unintentionally struck the pipe, leading to water surging onto nearby roads and residential areas.
Impact on the Community
The flooding significantly affected local facilities and businesses. The Marine Parade Community Club was one of the facilities impacted, with counter services temporarily suspended due to the flooding. Local shop owner Abdul Rawoof, whose convenience store is located in the area, reported that his store was inundated with water. “My whole store is flooded. I had to move a lot of things out,” he stated, highlighting the challenges posed by the rising waters.
Community Reactions
Residents’ Concerns
Residents expressed their concerns about navigating the floodwaters. Medelyn Phon, a local resident, shared her worries about being unable to leave her home due to flooding in the lift lobby. “One of the block’s two lift lobbies was still flooded at 3:20 PM,” she noted, emphasizing the inconvenience posed by the situation. Fortunately, she added, “it’s Children’s Day today, so the school is not open,” reducing potential dangers for local students.
Residents also faced challenges related to construction noise and the disruption caused by the flooding. Many had to contend with the ongoing construction work and the aftermath of the flood, which made the situation even more frustrating.
Video Evidence of the Flooding
Footage shared by residents showed the extent of the flooding, with water surrounding local roads, convenience stores, and playgrounds. When The Straits Times arrived at the scene around 1:50 PM, floodwaters were reported to reach almost knee-deep in some areas. Images of police presence and ongoing clean-up efforts further depicted the scale of the incident.
Official Response and Clean-Up Efforts
Involvement of Local Authorities
In response to the flooding, local authorities quickly mobilized to address the situation. Officers from the Singapore Police Force, along with representatives from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Public Utilities Board (PUB), were present in the area to assess the situation and coordinate clean-up efforts. By 2:40 PM, sandbags were laid outside Abdul Rawoof’s shop to help mitigate further flooding, demonstrating swift action from the authorities.
Clean-Up Operations
Clean-up efforts were launched promptly, with at least 20 workers observed scooping water, mud, and debris from the affected areas. Dr. Tan See Leng, the Marine Parade Member of Parliament, stated on social media that contractors from the LTA are collaborating with the Marine Parade Town Council to restore the area to its usual condition. The goal was to complete the clean-up operations by the evening of the incident.
“Staff at Marine Parade Community Centre are restoring counter services, as the path to the temporary office was previously impassable,” Dr. Tan reported, assuring residents that efforts were underway to resume normal services.
Conclusion
The flooding incident in Marine Parade on October 4, 2023, serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by construction activities and the vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure. As residents and local businesses navigate the aftermath, local authorities remain committed to restoring normalcy in the affected areas. The swift responses from the community and relevant agencies reflect the resilience of Marine Parade as it works to address both the immediate and long-term impacts of the flooding. As clean-up operations continue, residents can look forward to returning to their daily routines, while remaining vigilant about the state of their local infrastructure.
