Floods again? Shopowners in Orchard Road want answers

Retailers along Orchard Road are questioning why flood prevention measures put in place this year failed to stop flood waters from entering their stores on Friday.

Flash floods in Orchard Road and other parts of S'pore Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: Stomp, AsiaOne)

They are upset that the slew of flood prevention measures introduced after last year's flash floods did not work.

Some had to close to clean up and repair damages, while others threw out food in keeping with food hygiene practices, suffering losses of 20 to 60 per cent as a result.

Liat Towers' luxury retailer Hermes remains closed while fast-food chain Wendy's and coffee chain Starbucks were at least ankle-deep in water on Friday when heavy rain overwhelmed the flood barriers in front of their shutters.

Sandbags placed near the basement entrance did not stop the flood waters from rising to about ankle-high.

Those affected by the flood said they are disappointed this is happening again.

"We hope that the building management and the authorities can work out the real issues," a marketing and branding manager for Wendy's said.

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