SINGAPORE - Heavy rain fell across Singapore on Tuesday evening (Jan 30), causing flash floods along a road in Seletar and felling trees in several areas.

A fallen tree caused the Yio Chu Kang Road exit to the Seletar Expressway (SLE) from the Tampines Expressway (TPE) to be closed.

The Land Transport Authority said on its traffic news Twitter channel at 5.10pm that the exit was closed due to an obstacle.

National water agency PUB had issued a heavy rain alert at 4.14pm, quoting the National Environment Agency (NEA) which said that heavy rain was expected across the island from 4.50pm to 5.40pm.

PUB said flash floods at Seletar North Link affected both lanes and advised motorists to avoid the area. A photo it posted shows murky water at the scene.

The water subsided by 5.45pm, and traffic was passable at that time, PUB said in an update.

It said in a statement on Tuesday night that the flood occurred as water from the storm exceeded the capacity of the roadside drains.

There was a similar flash flood at Seletar North Link in December, and PUB said it is in the process of constructing two temporary drains in the area to alleviate flooding.

The first drain will be completed in mid-February, while the other is slated for completion by May this year.

"More permanent drainage is planned in tandem with upcoming developments in the area," PUB said.

PUB said Singapore is still experiencing the north-east monsoon, which will last till March.

"We urge the public to exercise caution and avoid stepping into or driving into flooded areas," said PUB. "During this period of monsoon season, the public should stay tuned to radio broadcast and check PUB's Facebook page or PUB's mobile app "MyWaters" for flood updates."

NEA's two-hour weather forecast predicts thunderstorms across most of the island from 5pm to 7pm.

A video posted on Telegram traffic news channel SG No.1 All in 1 Sharing / Updates shows a van trying to reverse as a tree has apparently blocked the road.

Another video, sent in by Mr Alvin Chan shows a fallen tree blocking off two lanes of a road near Yishun Dam.

The 50-year-old businessman said he saw more than 10 trees that had fallen in the rain while driving along Seletar West Link towards TPE at 5pm.

"I didn't see anyone get hurt or have their car crushed by a tree but it caused a big jam," he said.

Another reader, Mr Tan Ming Lie, told ST that he saw a fallen tree blocking the path by a canal near Block 332, Yishun Ring Road, at 6.30pm.

The 29-year-old workplace safety and health professional said there were three to four people gathered around the fallen tree, he said.

He made a report to the National Parks Board (NParks).

"I think it's because of the rain," he said. "Just now at around 4pm, a lot of trees were uprooted."

NParks said in statement on Wednesday that it cleared most of the fallen trees by 8pm on Tuesday.