Rail operator SMRT will be introducing flood mitigation measures - put into place at the Bishan MRT station to prevent a repeat of October's flooding incident - at four other locations by April this year. The four locations - near the Lavender, Redhill, Kembangan and Expo stations on the East-West Line - are at tunnel portals, where above-ground tracks go into underground tunnels.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan described the incident as 'sad' and 'embarrassing'.
The measures include the introduction of additional float switches, as well as the relocation of pump control panels to areas accessible to maintenance staff even during passenger train services, SMRT Building and Services Director Siu Yow Wee told the media on Wednesday (24th January).
The control panels normally require staff to access the track, which could take up to 20 minutes, he added. "These (four new) locations are not as critical as they are above street level," said Mr. Siu, explaining that this allows rain water to drain off to surface drains.
In comparison, the track at Bishan is more flood-prone as it is below street-level. However, the additional measures are part of SMRT's overall efforts to enhance its flood-mitigation efforts, he added.
A stalled train in a flooded tunnel between Bishan and Braddell MRT stations on 7th October
"With the October incident, we found there was a need to enhance our system to make it more robust," said Mr. Siu.
He added that measures introduced at Bishan included the installation of additional float switches as well as two radar sensors, which are able to measure water levels and send SMS alerts to SMRT staff in emergency situations.
Flood-prevention efforts are part of SMRT's overall rail maintenance and upgrading efforts, said Mr. Siu, which includes resignalling of the North-South and East-West lines, to ensure commuters experience better journeys. "We are committed to do this, but we need time," Mr. Siu said.
