Heavy afternoon showers on 20 April led to flash floods in several areas across Bukit Timah, with water accumulation disrupting traffic and prompting a swift response from the national water agency, PUB to issue flash flood risk alerts for over a dozen locations across the island.
Among the affected roads were Bukit Timah Road, between Clementi Road and Blackmore Drive, Kings Road, between Prince Road and Lutheran Road, the junction of Stevens Road and Balmoral Road, and Coronation Walk.
According to PUB, officers were promptly deployed to assist in the affected locations.
In a public update at 5.40pm, PUB announced that floodwaters at Bukit Timah Road and the Stevens-Balmoral junction had subsided.
These included Paya Lebar, Orchard Road, Thomson Road, Toa Payoh, Hillcrest Road, Sunset Drive, Boon Lay, and Alexandra Road.
The flash flood alerts coincided with weather warnings issued earlier in the day.
At 4.25pm, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) forecasted moderate to heavy thundery showers with gusty winds over Singapore’s northern, southern, and central regions for an hour.
The event on 20 April is part of a broader pattern of wet weather that has persisted through the month. On 16 April, MSS forecasted short-duration thundery showers over many parts of the island, especially in the afternoons, extending occasionally into the evenings.
Daily maximum temperatures are projected to range from 33°C to 34°C on most days, with potential highs of around 35°C.
Since the start of April, there have been multiple instances of intense rainfall. The heaviest downpour so far occurred on 13 April, with 117mm of rain recorded around Yishun Ring Road. MSS stated that this was the highest daily rainfall total for the first half of the month.
The frequency and intensity of such rain events raise concerns about the increasing likelihood of flash floods in urbanised areas, particularly those with limited drainage capacity.
PUB has been actively monitoring flood-prone zones using its network of water level sensors and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to issue timely alerts and mobilise assistance where needed.
Residents and motorists are advised to stay updated through PUB’s online platforms and to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas during heavy rainfall. The agency has also reminded the public to heed alerts and take precautionary measures during periods of forecasted heavy rain.
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