Emergency Services Respond Swiftly to Flooding Incidents
SINGAPORE: On Monday afternoon (March 7), heavy rainfall across various regions of Singapore resulted in flash flooding in multiple locations.
The national water agency, PUB, reported that flash floods were recorded on Jurong East Street 32 at 3:20 PM and Enterprise Road at 4:05 PM. Roads in these areas were closed off, and PUB dispatched rapid response teams to assist drivers and manage traffic flow.
According to the agency, both incidents of flooding receded within half an hour. Flood risk alerts were also issued for numerous areas, including Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1, Teck Whye Lane, Woodlands Road, International Road, Wan Lee Road, Jalan Boon Lay, Second Chin Bee Road, and Jalan Tukang.
A video shared on Facebook depicted what seemed to be a truck caught in rising floodwaters. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that they received an emergency call regarding a stranded driver along Old Choa Chu Kang Road around 3:45 PM.
Rescuers from the SCDF entered the floodwaters, which were approximately 1.5 meters deep, and provided the driver with a personal flotation device. He was safely guided to dry land, and fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
PUB indicated that the highest recorded rainfall in western Singapore was 134.2 mm at the Jurong West Street 42 rainfall station between 2:35 PM and 4:45 PM. This amount represents 88% of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall for March and ranks among the top 1% of daily rainfall records since 1981.
The Meteorological Service Singapore had noted on March 1 that the wet conditions observed in February were anticipated to persist into the first half of March, with thundery showers expected on most days. Overall, the rainfall during the first two weeks of March is projected to be above average across most of Singapore, according to the Met Service.
