| PUB COMMENCES DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL-INLAND FLOOD MODEL | 307 | https://www.pub.gov.sg/news/pressreleases/2021PR001 | PUB COMMENCES DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL-INLAND FLOOD MODEL | 8/4/2021 4:00:00 PM | | | Issue Date | Overview | About PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency | ABOUT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (NUS) | ABOUT H2I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <p style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Singapore, 9 Apr 2021</strong> – National Water Agency PUB has begun work on a state-of-the-art modelling system that is capable of simulating and evaluating both inland and coastal flood risks in tandem. This Coastal-Inland Flood Model will enable PUB to better assess the impact of climate change on Singapore's coastal areas. A consortium led by the National University of Singapore (NUS), with water management solutions provider Hydroinformatics Institute (H2i) as a partner, has been appointed to develop the model to support PUB's coastal protection efforts. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">2 The purpose-built model will be developed based on Singapore's densely built-up and urbanised environment, and will enable holistic flood risk assessment by estimating the combined effects of extreme sea levels and inland floods caused by intense rainfall. It will comprise two independent models – a coastal model and an inland model – that can run separately or together to carry out flood risk analysis for different scenarios. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">3 The model will aid PUB in the planning of coastal adaptation measures, to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed coastal protection infrastructure, as well as for operations management. Development will take about four years and be continually updated and improved along with new climate data and developments in climate science. In the near term, the model will also be able to support the upcoming site-specific studies, starting with the City-East Coast and Jurong island.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">4 The coastal model will be equipped to simulate potential changes in nearshore waves and storm surge activities within the region under different climate change scenarios, while the inland model will be capable of simulating urban flooding caused by different sources, including heavy rainfall, and their interactions with sea levels. Advanced modelling techniques will be used to enhance the accuracy and speed in simulating rainfall-induced flows within Singapore's densely built-up water catchments. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">5 PUB officers will work closely with the team from NUS and H2i during the entire project duration, to share their experience with existing modelling systems. This will also allow PUB to build new expertise in-house to develop, test and validate coastal protection technologies and concepts. When completed, PUB will be equipped to operate the model and make future enhancements to it when needed. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">6 The project team will be led by Philip Liu, Distinguished Professor in the NUS Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Professor Liu, who is internationally recognised for his work on coastal engineering and wave modelling, has been instrumental in developing tsunami and coastal disaster resilience technology in Taiwan and the South China Sea region. H2i will bring to the table its rich expertise in hydrological and inland flow modelling and model development, having worked with PUB previously on its rainfall monitoring and predicting system, which uses X-band radar technology. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">7 Ms Hazel Khoo, Director of PUB's Coastal Protection Department, said, “As a small coastal city with many low-lying areas, Singapore is particularly susceptible to rising sea levels. Coupled with the upward trend of average annual rainfall and frequency of heavy rainfall that we have observed in recent years, the development of this model is timely as we embark on the monumental task of building coastal defences for Singapore. Through this project, we aim to enhance capabilities and deepen our expertise in modelling to support coastal protection efforts from now and into the future. Given the uncertainties in climate science, protecting our coastlines will always be a work-in-progress, but we aim to stay ahead of the curve. We are pleased to have both NUS and H2i on board and look forward to working with them on this important project." </p><p style="text-align:justify;">8 Professor Liu added, “NUS is excited to be leading this consortium. I am confident that the synergistic pool of talent and resources from NUS, H2i and PUB will catalyse a collaborative advancement of Singapore's efforts to bolster coastal protection. In anticipating continued climate changes, the development of a Coastal-Inland Flood Model is timely and will help to safeguard both our coastlines and our collective future against severe weather and rising sea levels." </p><p style="text-align:justify;">9 H2i's Director, Martin Lechner, said, “H2i has, through our various projects, developed a depth and breadth of understanding of the impact that climate change could have on both lives and livelihoods in Singapore. We have already deployed our capabilities in areas like coastal monitoring and modelling and flood-risk management, and the development of the Coastal-Inland Flood Model builds on this. The combined expertise of our team, which includes renowned industry leaders like hydraulics specialist Professor Guus Stelling, will mean faster, more accurate and more visual water management insights. This will allow Singapore to better plan for climate change, and secure its own future."</p>
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<strong>Annex</strong></span><br>
<img alt="20210409_Image2" src="/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/20210409_Image2.jpg" />
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<em>Credit: National University of Singapore</em></p><p>
<span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Caption: </strong></span><br> Graphical images above depict the potential rise and fall in sea water levels around Singapore under different scenarios, with red depicting a higher water level, and potentially higher chances of flooding near the coastal areas, in combination with other factors. On the left is a projected tidal forecast without storm conditions, while the image on the right projects a storm-only forecast at the exact same timing. The Coastal-Inland Flood Model will be able to simulate inundation maps on mainland Singapore arising from the combined effects of varying sea level and rainfall conditions.<br></p> | <p>PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. It is the national water agency, and manages Singapore's water supply, water catchment and used water in an integrated way.</p><p>PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water).</p><p>PUB calls on everyone to play a part in conserving water, in keeping our waterways clean, and in caring for Singapore's precious water resources. If we all do our little bit, there will be enough water for all our needs – for commerce and industry, for living, for life.</p><br> | <p>The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore's flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 17 faculties across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established our NUS Overseas Colleges programme in more than 15 cities around the world.</p>
<p>Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, 30 university-level research institutes, research centres of excellence and corporate labs focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.</p><p>For more information on NUS, please visit
<a href="http://www.nus.edu.sg/">www.nus.edu.sg</a>. <br></p> | <p>The Hydroinformatics Institute applies big data analytics, machine learning and advanced computer modelling to some of the world's most pressing water-related challenges, including the impact of climate change. The team's expertise spans monitoring, hydrodynamic modelling, water quality modelling, and operational management systems. Its state-of-the-art computer modelling software and approaches for coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and rural and urban areas, drives innovative approaches to leveraging the potential of big data for better inland and coastal water management. H2i, a Singapore-based company established in 2014, is behind landmark water management projects in Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Oman, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Kazakhstan. It works with government agencies, private and public listed firms, as well as NGOs. In 2018, it was named Small Business Rising Star at the Winsemius Awards.</p><p>More information on
<a href="http://www.h2i.sg/">www.h2i.sg</a>. <br><br></p><br> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
