'Leaky' lift in Hougang was due to heavy rain, shut down to ensure residents' safety: Aljunied-Hougang Town Council

SINGAPORE — A lift in a Housing and Development Board block in Hougang that appeared to be "leaking" due to heavy rain has since been rectified, the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) said on Wednesday (March 1). This was after a video of rainwater pouring into the lift was posted online.

The four-second video, which was shared by an online forum site Reddit user named “Kiatme” on Tuesday, showed water flooding into the lift through its ceiling at Block 170 Hougang Avenue 1.

Speaking to TODAY, the user, who did not want to be named, said that his wife, was visiting her parents at the block. She filmed the incident at about 8.25pm while she was in the lift with another elderly resident who lived on the 12th floor.

She then reported the incident to the town council through the OneService platform, the mam added.

In response to queries, the town council said that it was alerted to the matter at 8pm by the Essential Maintenance Service Unit, its 24-hour service provider.

The lift contractor responded immediately by shutting down both lifts to ensure the safety of residents.

“Upon our checks on site, we found that rainwater had flowed into the lift motor room located at the roof of the block. While there was strong wind and heavy rain, this was an unprecedented occurrence,” the town council said.

Various contractors were also onsite with the town council’s staff members to provide assistance to residents, including seniors who needed help with using the stairs. 

The town council added: “The lift contractor also performed rectification works on both lifts. The lifts have resumed operations on Wednesday.

“The town council will review the incident and take steps to prevent a similar incident from recurring.”

Describing the situation as a "leaky" lift, some Reddit users left comments that the person filming the incident could have been in danger of electrocution as water could be seen seeping into the electronic components and mechanisms of the lift.

Reddit user Kiatme told TODAY that his wife initially did not realise water was seeping into the lift and she also did not realise that she may get electrocuted.

When his wife left the flat at around 10.30pm, both lifts were already shut off. 

The man said that the lift system was upgraded within the past year.

"Before the upgrade, the block experienced many lift breakdowns. It was so bad that sometimes both lifts will be out of service,” he added.

AHTC told TODAY that the leaking lift ceiling on Tuesday was not related to the upgrading that was carried out and completed in April last year for two lifts.

"While there were ad-hoc lift issues, it is not uncommon, from time to time, for residents to interpret that the lift was out of order when routine monthly maintenance was actually being carried out."

It added that it is looking into better communicating lift maintenance to residents, apart from having the lift maintenance schedule posted on the town council’s noticeboards.