Shoring up Singapore's coastlines as sea levels rise faster than expected

Tides, storm surges among host of factors that will affect such planning, say experts

Above: Dr Pavel Tkalich, who heads the oceanography laboratory at the National University of Singapore's Tropical Marine Science Institute, has been studying the effects of storm surges for over 10 years. Storm surges refer to the rise in water level
A January 2015 photo showing the submerged boardwalk at Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve during a spring tide, which happens when the Earth, Sun and Moon are aligned, and the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon work together in pulling tides to greater heights. ST FILE PHOTO
Above: Dr Pavel Tkalich, who heads the oceanography laboratory at the National University of Singapore's Tropical Marine Science Institute, has been studying the effects of storm surges for over 10 years. Storm surges refer to the rise in water level
Above: A flooded area near Sungei Api Api in Pasir Ris Park in February 2011, due to an extreme high tide. PHOTO: COURTESY OF WONG POH POH
Above: Dr Pavel Tkalich, who heads the oceanography laboratory at the National University of Singapore's Tropical Marine Science Institute, has been studying the effects of storm surges for over 10 years. Storm surges refer to the rise in water level
Above: Dr Pavel Tkalich, who heads the oceanography laboratory at the National University of Singapore's Tropical Marine Science Institute, has been studying the effects of storm surges for over 10 years. Storm surges refer to the rise in water levels along coastlines during storms. PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Audrey Tan
Science and Environment Correspondent
Updated
Oct 12, 2019, 08:35 AM
Published
Oct 12, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, and Singapore has already begun to stem the tide.

But it turns out that the seas are rising faster than previously thought.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 12, 2019, with the headline Shoring up Singapore's coastlines as sea levels rise faster than expected. Subscribe

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