SINGAPORE - Heavy rain caused flash floods lasting for about half an hour at three locations in Singapore on Monday afternoon (Nov 2).
National water agency PUB said at around 9pm there were flash floods in Upper Paya Lebar Road, Lorong Gambir and Mount Vernon Road.
Water levels in drains and canals also rose to 90 per cent of their capacity in eight other locations, including MacPherson Road, Balestier Road and Sims Drive. The heaviest rainfall of around 131.4mm recorded at Tai Seng from 2.40pm to 6.10 pm is more than half of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in November, said PUB.
Flash floods occurred at Upper Paya Lebar Road and Lorong Gambir at around 3pm, followed by Mount Vernon Road at around 3.20pm.
PUB, which issued flood warnings for the three places at around 3pm, deployed quick response teams to provide assistance at the affected areas and inspect the drainage system for obstructions.
To curb the waters, residents at Paya Lebar Gardens estate along Upper Paya Lebar Road used portable flood barriers supplied by PUB officers who also distributed inflatable sandbags as an additional precaution against floodwaters.
Water flowing in waves
Residents said the flood waters were rushing in fast, catching some by surprise.
"The water was flowing very fast, in waves," said Madam Annalyn Ooi, who was stunned when she saw the canal alongside her block at Balam Road, where she has lived for about five years.
"This is the first time, I have seen the waters nearly rising beyond the canal," added the 36-year-old real estate agent who was caught in a jam along the Central Expressway while she was on her way home during the heavy downpour.
Knowing that Macpherson Road was on lower ground, she took a detour as she had a "gut feeling" that there would be flooding in the area.
"I was so shocked when I saw the waters, I told my maid that it was lucky she didn't take my baby out for a walk," said Madam Ooi.
Fallen trees
Motorists around Singapore were also hampered by the lashing rain which brought down some trees.
A tree fell in MacPherson Road towards Paya Lebar, causing it to be impassable. It was cleared by about 4.20pm, said an NParks spokesman.
Another tree landed on a car along Zion Road outside Great World City at 5.40pm and was cleared at around 6.15pm.
Most trees in public areas are inspected once every six to 24 months, and more often in certain areas, said the NParks spokesman, adding that checks will be carried out to manage the damaged trees after the storm.
MP for Marine Parade GRC (Geylang Serai) Mohd Fahmi Aliman, visited Thrift Drive near Upper Paya Lebar Road on Monday night. The area was also affected by a flash flood about two months ago.
He said he plans to meet residents on Tuesday and would look into setting up a task force.
More showers in November
The Meteorological Service Singapore on Monday said more showers are expected over the island in the next two weeks, due to intermonsoon weather.
The coming fornight is characterised by warm weather, higher lightning activity and thunderstorms that can often be intense, it said.
Thundery showers are predicted over parts of Singapore between the afternoon and evening on most days in the first two weeks of November.
The daily temperature is also expected to range between 24°C and 34°C and could rise to a scorching 35°C on one or two days.
Overall, rainfall for November is expected to be near normal over most parts of Singapore.
