Canal upgrade boosts flood control in Bukit Timah

The National water agency PUB in Singapore completed upgrades to a 2.3km canal in Bukit Timah, a flood-prone area, after seven years of work.

The final 900m stretch of the canal received enhancements beginning in 2019, with a cost of around $60 million. These improvements enlarge the canal’s capacity by 30 percent, aiming to reduce flash floods that have affected the area for 15 years.

The project faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions designed to limit traffic congestion during construction. Despite these challenges, PUB completed the work and converted the canal from an angular shape to a U-shaped drain and box culvert. PUB acknowledges that drainage improvements alone may not fully prevent flooding in Bukit Timah, given its low-lying terrain and changing rainfall patterns caused by climate change.

In late 2026, the agency will begin a study to explore longer-term, integrated flood solutions for the area, including underground water storage. The study will also consider how to incorporate these solutions with a future green corridor and existing infrastructure.