I was sending my son to school this morning before heading to work when I noticed the water level build-up at Pasir Ris Drive 12.

Unfortunately, this build-up later erupted into full-blown flooding, trapping motorists in their vehicles and injuring several persons.

I wish the victims of this mishap a speedy recovery.

This is not a common occurrence in Pasir Ris – not at least in the decade that I have been living here.

My belief is today’s flooding is in part due to the extensive recent deforestation of land in Pasir Ris and Tampines.

Deforestation commonly leads to flooding during rainy seasons because there are much fewer trees to absorb rainwater, prevent surface run-off, and minimise soil erosion.

This puts a strain on our drainage system, and if the infrastructure is not adequate to hold the load, flooding is inevitable during rain storms.

Much of the forested area in Pasir Ris Industrial Drive 1 and Pasir Ris Farmway, as well as Tampines Ave 10 and Tampines Link, have been cleared to build roads and high-rise housing developments.

Adding to that, more forests are being cleared at Pasir Ris Drive 3, about the size of 10 football fields, to build more high-rise HDB flats.

The SDA has, for over a year now, advocated for the preservation of our green spaces in Pasir Ris.

Even as the government pursues its growth-at-all-cost strategy, it must strike a good balance between nature and a concrete jungle.

And before embarking on such big developments, town planners must ensure that neighbourhood structures can cope with the environmental changes.

Otherwise residents will suffer, both in the short term and long run.

Get the basics right.

Desmond Lim
Chairman
Singapore Democratic Alliance