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Flash floods hit parts of S’pore for second day in a row

SINGAPORE — For a second day in a row, roads clogged up with traffic after heavy downpours triggered flash floods in several parts across the island this afternoon (Dec 11).

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SINGAPORE — For a second day in a row, roads clogged up with traffic after heavy downpours triggered flash floods in several parts across the island this afternoon (Dec 11).

Flash floods were reported in areas at Thomson Road, Balestier Road, Cambridge Road and at several junctions, including Mandalay Road/Balestier Road and Boon Keng Road/Bendemeer Road, although these cleared up by 2.50pm, according to national water agency PUB’s Twitter posts.

On social media, users posted pictures of ankle-deep waters at bus stops, and traffic congestion on flooded roads. A tree came crashing down outside Orchard Central while parts of Junction 8 shopping mall in Bishan were flooded.

PUB’s director of catchment and waterways Ridzuan Ismail said the heaviest rainfall was recorded at Beatty Secondary School’s rain gauge station, with 80.4mm of rain falling from 1.05pm to 2.45pm. The bulk of the rain beat down in the first 30 minutes of the skies opening up.

PUB said it is investigating the flooding incidents but Mr Ismail said certain locations are more prone to flooding as they are situated in low-lying areas or have localised depressions, citing the examples of Cambridge Road and Thomson Road.

The junctions at Mandalay Road/Balestier Road, Boon Keng Road/Bendemeer Road and Boon Lay Way/Corporation Road are also “known hotspots”, he added.

Mr Ismail said drainage upgrading works in areas like Novena Rise/Thomson Road and Balestier Road/Mandalay Road are set to be completed by the third quarter of next year and the second quarter of 2017, respectively.

Drainage upgrading works at the junctions of Boon Lay Way/Corporation Road and Boon Keng Road/Bendeemer Road have been planned to start in the first quarter next year.

According to information posted on the National Environment Agency’s website, thundery showers in the afternoons and evenings are forecast for the next four days. 

PUB advised the public to exercise caution as flash floods may occur in the event of heavy storms.

Tweets about #sgflood from:PUBsingapore since:2015-12-11

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