Flash floods in some parts of Singapore amid 'prolonged heavy rain'
About 90% of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in April fell over three hours in the western part of the country on Saturday.
Flash flooding near Sime Darby Centre on Apr 17, 2021. (Photo: Tok Wee Peng)
SINGAPORE: Flash floods were reported in some parts of Singapore on Saturday afternoon (Apr 17) as heavy rain fell across the island.
National water agency PUB said it issued flood risk warnings for more than 20 locations, including Sime Darby Centre, Bukit Timah Canal (Leng Kwang Baptist Church), Ulu Pandan Canal and Sungei Pandan Kechil (NUS and AYE).
"Traffic remained passable in these areas," said PUB in an update on Facebook at about 4.30pm.Â
"Flooding was observed on the pedestrian sidewalks along Dunearn Road near Sime Darby Centre, as well as the Park Connector along Ulu Pandan Canal, due to the high water levels in adjacent drains and canals."
Photos and videos sent in by CNA readers show slow-moving traffic on flooded roads.
A resident who lives along Jurong East Street 32 said that the area has "never been flooded like this before".
The resident, who did not want to be named, said that the police had cordoned off the area to prevent cars from driving through.
A bus was also seen to be driving through the area "very slowly", he said.
Varun Arora, who lives in Bukit Timah opposite King Albert Park MRT station, told CNAÂ that while he has seen flooding in the area previously, it has never been so bad.Â
A tennis court near Mr Arora's residence was also covered in water.Â
PUB said "prolonged heavy rain" fell over many areas of Singapore in the afternoon, with water levels exceeding 90 per cent capacity in several drains and canals.
The heaviest rainfall of 161.4mm was recorded in western Singapore from 12.25pm to 3.25pm, said PUB.
"This amount corresponds to 91 per cent of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in April, and lies within the top 0.5 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1981," it added.
PUB said quick response teams were deployed to the affected locations to assist drivers and pedestrians.
The agency first warned about potential flash floods in a Facebook post at about 12pm, advising members of the public to avoid the following areas:
• Craig Road / Duxton Road
• Tanjong Pagar Road / Craig Road
• Commonwealth Lane / Commonwealth Drive
• Commonwealth Lane (CERTIS)
• Exeter Road / Somerset Road
• Indus Road / Ganges Ave
• Sime Darby Centre
• Dunearn Road / Hillcrest Road
• Jurong East St 32 (Blk 311)
• Dunearn Road (Tan Kah Kee DT Stop Log B)
• Bukit Timah Canal (Leng Kwang Baptist Church)
• Sg Pandan Kechil (NUS)
• Ulu Pandan Canal (Pine Grove)1
• Neo Pee Teck Lane / Pasir Panjang
• Sg Pandan Kechil (AYE)
• West Coast Rd (Blk 409)
• Gul Circle
• Tuas Rd End OD
• Wan Lee Road / Enterprise Road
• Sg Pandan (Toh Guan East)
• Jalan Boonlay (Bus stop B21339)
• International Road / Second Chin Bee Bee Road
• Jurong Town Hall Rd / West Coast Road
• Tanjong Penjuru / Penjuru Road
• Rose Lane (Lamp post 11F)
The Meteorological Service Singapore said in a tweet at about 2.50pm that moderate to heavy thundery showers with gusty winds are expected to continue over many areas of Singapore until about 4pm.
In its fortnightly weather outlook issued on Friday, the Met Service said that more thundery showers can be expected between the pre-dawn hours and morning in the week to come.
April's rainfall is forecast to be above average over most parts of Singapore.
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