SINGAPORE: Mr Tan Chiew Koon’s landed apartment in a low-lying village has weathered many storms over the past few years.
The 79-year-old, whose home has lived in Pasir Panjang for the past 60 years, said storms used to be typical there during the year-end monsoon season that brings about more precipitation.
In a particularly serious situation, the water reaches as high as his waist in 15 years ago, causing property damage.
These issues have caused authorities to communicate with each other frequently.
With improved drainage devices and rivers over the years, the situation has improved.
Mr. Tan has assisted the regional water organization PUB in coordinating efforts to raise storm awareness in the neighborhood since 2021.
” Together with some of my mates … we identify the people who are more vulnerable to flooding, get their names, and move them on to PUB”, he said.
He therefore assists in the distribution of free disaster prevention tools, such as flood bags that inflated when in contact with water.