SINGAPORE: Nearly 100 potholes were detected across Singapore during the first 12 days of 2025, caused by prolonged rainfall during the north-east monsoon, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Several potholes were spotted along Tanah Merah Coast Road, as captured in a video by a cyclist on 11 January.
The four-minute video, shared on Facebook, revealed more than 20 potholes across three lanes, all filled with rainwater from the recent monsoon surge between 10 and 13 January.
Describing some of the large potholes as “very nasty,” the cyclist cautioned road users to be careful when navigating the lane.
Highlighting the poor road conditions as “super bad,” he pledged to send the video to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to request repairs.
In response to media queries from The Straits Times, the LTA confirmed that the potholes on Tanah Merah Coast Road were repaired on 12 January.
A spokesman noted that only one pothole had been detected and repaired during an earlier inspection of the same road on 9 January.
LTA reported nearly 100 potholes detected between 1 and 12 January 2025. However, this marks a substantial decrease compared to the 776 potholes found during the same period in 2024.
January and February 2024 saw a spike of approximately 60% in pothole occurrences compared to 2023 due to heavier rainfall.
LTA said cracks naturally form on road surfaces due to wear and tear, and potholes develop when water seeps into these cracks, expanding under traffic pressure. Prolonged heavy rain exacerbates the issue.
LTA stated that their pre-emptive measures, including accelerated localised road resurfacing in high-traffic and heavy vehicle areas, have significantly reduced the number of potholes. Annual figures provided by LTA show a steady decline, from 9,702 potholes in 2021 to just 3,013 in 2024.
With the monsoon expected to persist until the end of January, Singapore Road Safety Council chairman Bernard Tay advised motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good condition, including checking wipers and tyre grip. He also warned drivers to slow down and avoid potholes to prevent tyre punctures or rim damage.
Members of the public are encouraged to report road defects via LTA’s website or through the Snap & Send function on the MyTransport.SG app or the Municipal Services Office’s OneService app.
