The Government of Singapore will invest SDG150 million in drainage improvement projects in 2025 to strengthen flood resilience amid increasing climate risks. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment has announced plans to develop six new drainage projects which will commence in 2026, adding to the 19 currently underway. The move follows two monsoon surges in January 2025, which caused a single flooding incident on Jalan Seaview in Mountbatten, where water levels reached 0.3 meters for three hours.
Since 2011, Singapore has spent SDG2.5 billion on drainage infrastructure, reducing flood-prone areas from 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to less than 25 hectares today. However, the continuous expansion of drainage systems is not feasible due to land and financial constraints. Instead, the government will focus on long-term flood resilience, including land reclamation plans such as the Long Island project to protect the East Coast from rising sea levels. Amendments to the Sewerage and Drainage Act passed in 2024, will also ensure developers maintain flood protection measures.
