Flash floods hit hot spots after heavy rains

SINGAPORE — Certain flood-prone areas around the island — with some undergoing drainage work — were hit by flash floods as heavy rains poured down in the late afternoon yesterday.

The flash floods came after the National Environment Agency issued several weather alerts warning of moderate to heavy thundery showers with gusty winds over many areas of Singapore in the afternoon.

In response to queries, national water agency PUB said the five affected areas were Balestier Road in front of Balestier Point, Veerasamy Road, the junction of MacPherson and Harvey Road, Yishun Avenue 2 and Avenue 5 and Sembawang Road in front of Sembawang Shopping Centre.

The hardest hit appeared to be Sembawang Road, where two lanes were impassable to traffic at the height of the flash flood.

The rain was heaviest at Yishun/Sembawang, where 97.6mm of rain fell between 4.25pm and 6pm, said a PUB spokesperson. The rain intensified between 4.30pm and 5pm, during which 45mm of rain fell.

The spokesperson added that the affected areas yesterday “are known hot spots” and works are ongoing to alleviate flooding at Sembawang Road and Veerasamy Road.

Drainage work has also been scheduled for the hot spots in Yishun and the junction of MacPherson and Harvey roads.

As for Balestier Road, the PUB spokesperson said the run-off brought about by the rain “could not drain fast enough into the roadside drain”.

“PUB will increase the number of drop inlet chambers along this road to improve run-off drainage,” she added. WOO SIAN BOON