Fortifying Changi Airport against Extreme Rainfall Due to Climate Change
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the fortification of Changi Airport against extreme rainfall and climate change, as raised by Dr Tan Wu Meng. Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat highlighted flood protection measures such as widening drains, building new rainwater detention tanks, and installing real-time monitoring sensors for early intervention. Critical operations are further safeguarded by local flood barriers and infrastructure designed according to national planning scenarios and international best practices. For the Changi East development, Terminal 5 and the airfield will be constructed 5.5 metres above the mean sea level to protect against rising sea levels. These initiatives aim to ensure operational resilience and avoid the flight connectivity disruptions experienced at various overseas air hubs.
Transcript
60 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is being done to fortify Changi Airport against extreme rainfall scenarios amidst climate change, including incidents of prolonged torrential rain; and (b) what lessons can be drawn from similar incidents at overseas air hubs where flight connectivities have been disrupted.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group makes preparations based on national planning scenarios and requirements for flood protection, as well as international best practices in the design, construction and upgrading of Changi Airport’s infrastructure to ensure its resilience against climate change.
Various flood protection measures have been implemented at Changi Airport to manage increasing rainfall intensity. Examples include the widening of existing drains and building of new drainage outlets, the expansion and building of new rainwater detention tanks and the introduction of local flood barriers as added protection for operations-critical airport facilities. Water level monitoring sensors have also been installed across the airport's drainage network to provide real-time situational awareness and allow early intervention if needed to avert flooding and maintain the continuity of operations.
For the ongoing Changi East development, an extensive network of drains has been constructed. Terminal 5 and the airfield will also be built 5.5 metres above the mean sea level to protect against flooding due to more intense rainfall and rising sea levels.