Upper Bukit Timah more flood resilient after upgrading works, canal can carry 30% more stormwater
The upgraded canal can better cope with rainfall intensities comparable to storms over the past 15 years.
The Upper Bukit Timah Canal has been upgraded to carry 30% more stormwater, increasing its resilience against floods, according to national water agency PUB. The final 900m stretch of the 2.3km canal was completed in the third quarter of 2026, following the upstream section's upgrades in 2024. The improved canal can handle rainfall intensities similar to storms experienced over the past 15 years, benefiting around 1,000 hectares of residential, commercial, and transport areas.
PUB Deputy Chief Executive Angela Koh highlighted the significance of the upgrade in boosting flood resilience, but cautioned that intense storms could still overwhelm the catchment due to Bukit Timah's topography and climate change-induced rainfall intensification. The catchment is now served by three drainage systems that direct stormwater to various waterways.
PUB plans to conduct a feasibility study in early 2027 to explore longer-term flood mitigation strategies, integrating solutions with current infrastructure and future developments.
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