Flash floods could become more frequent, as Singapore hit by 3 in 3 months

Flash floods could become more frequent, as Singapore hit by 3 in 3 months
On Dec 29, a brick retaining wall at the front of two conserved terraced houses in Cairnhill Road collapsed amid the wet weather.
PHOTO: The Straits Times/Gavin Foo

Amid the north-east monsoon and record rainfall events over the past few months, flash floods have hit Singapore on at least three occasions. 

The most recent occurred in the evening of Dec 29, when several places including Dunearn Road, Bukit Timah Road near King Albert Park, and Balmoral Road were inundated. 

Cars were stranded along many of the affected roads.

The rainy north-east monsoon season, in particular, made November Singapore’s wettest since rainfall data collection began in 1980. This wet phase of the monsoon is expected to persist until late January 2025.

“We are unable to predict the intensity of these showers far ahead of time, as rainstorms can develop quickly in Singapore’s climate,” said Mr Maurice Neo, director of the catchment and waterways department at national water agency PUB.

“However, extremely heavy rainfall over a short period can sometimes exceed the capacity that the drains are designed for. That is when flash floods – small and localised floods that typically do not last for more than an hour – may occur,” he added.

Read Also
Flash floods: Cars partially submerged in waist-high water at Bukit Timah
singapore
Flash floods: Cars partially submerged in waist-high water at Bukit Timah

On Dec 29, PUB helped several motorists and property owners by moving their vehicles away from flood waters, pumping water from the basements of residential and commercial buildings, and handing out flood protection devices such as flood bags and barriers, said Mr Neo.

The rainy season, which lasts through January, is not expected to let up any time soon. The La Nina climate phenomenon, which brings wetter and cooler conditions to the region, is forecast to return some time between now and March 2025, causing rain to extend beyond the monsoon season.

The Meteorological Service Singapore’s website shows that the Republic is currently on “La Nina watch”.

Climate change is expected to bring heavier, more intense and frequent storms. PHOTO: The Straits Times/Brian Teo

According to Singapore’s third national climate change study, climate change is also expected to bring heavier, more intense and frequent storms. This could lead to more flash flooding.

On Nov 22, a deluge triggered two flash floods in Yishun and Potong Pasir.

The month before, on Oct 14, one of the heaviest downpours to hit western Singapore in over 40 years brought flooding to places like Yuan Ching Road, Bukit Timah and Tampines.

These three episodes were among the heaviest rainfall events since 1978. Dec 29’s 134.6mm of rainfall – recorded in the central region between late afternoon and evening – comprised 41 per cent of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall in December and fell within the top 1 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1978.

Between 1981 and 2020, there were more than 80 extreme rainfall events in the top 1 percentile, according to calculations by Assistant Professor He Xiaogang from NUS’ department of civil and environmental engineering.

The Bukit Timah area has been flood-prone for decades, and drainage improvement works have been carried out along the Bukit Timah Canal and Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal over the past 10 years.

There are also ongoing works to widen and deepen a 900m stretch of Bukit Timah Canal from Rifle Range Road to Jalan Kampong Chantek to enhance flood protection in the area, which will be completed by 2026, said PUB.

Read Also
entertainment
'I had to save my car': Vivian Hsu recounts getting caught in Singapore flash flood

But there is only so much drain widening and deepening that can be carried out. The authorities have started to take more measures to get the public better prepared for floods.

In November, in the lead-up to the monsoon, PUB launched its first national campaign to prepare the public for flash floods.

On Dec 29, a brick retaining wall at the front of two conserved terraced houses in Cairnhill Road also collapsed amid the wet weather.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said its engineers responded and assessed the two houses to be structurally sound.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said its engineers assessed the two conserved terraced houses in Cairnhill Road to be structurally sound. PHOTO: The Straits Times/Gavin Foo

A retaining wall is designed to hold back soil where there is a difference in ground levels, so that one side is higher than the other.

BCA said the adjacent buildings and their retaining walls are also in safe condition. The units affected are 128A and 128B.

The BCA spokesperson also said that it will serve orders to the owners of the two units to appoint professional engineers to conduct a detailed investigation, advise on immediate precautionary measures and recommend permanent fixes.

The remaining historic buildings in the Cairnhill area are mostly two-storey terraced houses, with many of them built in the 1910s and 1920s, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s website. They received conservation status in 1989.

Every year before the monsoon, PUB would distribute flood protection gear to homes and businesses in flood-prone zones and hot spots. This includes inflatable flood bags and various flood barriers. As at early November, around 16,000 of such items were distributed.

Vehicles in Cambridge Road at 5.27pm on Dec 29. PHOTO: PUB

Beyond preparing for floods, Prof He said that there is scope to improve early warning systems for extreme rainfall events. But early warning in tropical urban environments requires a multi-faceted approach, he added.

“We need to enhance our understanding of how different climate and weather systems interact across multiple scales, from large-scale (weather phenomena) to local weather conditions. We also need to assimilate diverse data sources,” he said.

Flood prevention tips for homes:

- Always ensure drains and drainage systems within your compound are well-maintained and choke-free, and that flood barriers are in good working condition.

- Install flood barriers when there is a risk of flooding to protect your property from the rising water level.

- Move essential items to higher ground.

- Turn off all main switches and disconnect electrical appliances in the event of evacuation.

- Do not touch electric switches or appliances if you are wet or standing in water.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.

homepage

trending

trending
    Heartbroken dad dies hours after teen son is killed in motorcycle accident
    'We should not prejudge him': Ex-diplomat Bilahari Kausikan weighs in on Trump's ambassador-nominee to Singapore
    Kaya toast, extra cute please: Breakfast-themed plushies with a local twist at Marina Square pop-up
    4 women arrested in Yishun for allegedly offering sexual services disguised as massages
    Geylang petrol station employee, 77, dies after being hit by reversing car
    Climbers battle torrential waters after flash floods hit Mount Kinabalu; all 155 persons safe, says park
    Malaysian man strikes $4m lottery after betting on his, girlfriend's IC numbers for 3 years
    Can Singapore run without air-conditioning or fossil fuels? We break down the innovations Temasek Foundation is backing for $2m
    NDP tank hits traffic light: NSF responded with the appropriate SOP, says Mindef
    All 12 government parliamentary committees to get new chairpersons, 19 first-term PAP MPs included as members
    Singapore coffee brand Alchemist debuts 2 outlets in Japan, marking first overseas venture
    Sheila Sim takes haircutting course after giving daughter bad trim

Singapore

Singapore
    • Fulfilling a childhood dream: RSAF pilot enlists after JC, takes part in first NDP
    • Singaporean man found following 15-hour disappearance, 2 days after wedding in Malaysia
    • MPs lead Singaporeans on sold-out durian trips across Causeway: 'Maximise the favourable exchange rate'
    • Jurong West homeowner evicts tenant after power bank catches fire and damages flat
    • Economic Resilience Taskforce unveils new business grant, support for workers amid global trade jitters
    • 'You need to do some homework': Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore under fire at Senate hearing
    • 'A seminal leader who shaped Malaysia': Lee Hsien Loong wishes Mahathir happy birthday on his centennial
    • Man in Tampines tased by police officers after allegedly brandishing penknife at them
    • Singaporean fugitive nabbed in Thailand for alleged drug trafficking, turned over to CNB
    • Singapore must develop deeper relationships with China, US, Europe: Shanmugam

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Where Chow Yun Fat was spotted at while in Singapore for Star Awards 2025
    • 'I could not possibly discard the embryo': Lee Si-young pregnant with second child through IVF months after divorce
    • No joke: Woman makes out with Xiao Zhan's standee in Malaysia shopping mall
    • High energy, strong vocals: J-pop boy band Be:First makes explosive debut in Singapore
    • Tori Kelly reveals she is expecting her first baby
    • Jay-Z hits out at 'harassment' from man claiming to be his son
    • My Chemical Romance sparks speculation on new music with teasing clues on Instagram
    • Ex-NCT member Taeil sentenced to 3.5 years of jail for sexual assault
    • Orlando Bloom breaks silence on split from Katy Perry with family photo
    • Nicki Minaj alleges Jay-Z owes her at least $128m

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Now you can get Springleaf prata in a cup - with curry - from a vending machine
    • Orh Gao Taproom, popular bar by night and kopitiam by day in Serene Centre, to shutter
    • Singapore Food Festival returns in September, includes SG60 Specials series
    • From Singlish-themed cups to T-shirts repping our neighbourhoods: Here are some SG60 collections to look out for
    • 'Definitely a big improvement': How Chery went from cheap joke to become a competitive automotive player
    • Cat A COE prices cross $100k mark again in first bidding exercise for July 2025
    • Sleeping on the job: This company will pay people $7 per hour to nap
    • Chanel shows haute couture in private salon setting at Grand Palais
    • McDonald's launching Chilli Crab Sauce Burger in collab with Jumbo Seafood, also releasing limited-edition Lunch Bag
    • From blogger to Singapore's top influencer: Naomi Neo celebrates 1m Instagram followers after 14 years

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Temasek sees $45b rise in net portfolio value to record high of $434b amid global uncertainties
    • 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid
    • Japan, South Korea hit with 25% tariffs as Trump ramps up trade war in letters to leaders
    • Trump says alignment with BRICS' 'anti-American policies' to invite additional 10% tariffs
    • Regulators warned Air India Express about delay on Airbus engine fix, forging records
    • Higher seller's stamp duty a 'light touch' to curb property flipping: Experts
    • Trump tax bill averts one debt crisis but makes future financial woes worse
    • Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4
    • Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla, SpaceX support

Latest

Latest
  • US wants South Korea to join efforts to counter China in shipbuilding
  • Effigies of refugees set alight on bonfire condemned in Northern Ireland
  • Asean agrees Myanmar election is not a priority, Malaysia says
  • Philippines' president to discuss tariffs in Trump meeting this July, top diplomat says
  • New Zealand braces for severe weather as storm threatens flooding
  • China offers to help resolve Thailand and Cambodia border dispute
  • South Korea, Japan and US conduct air drill as defence chiefs meet
  • US's Marco Rubio to meet China's Wang Yi in Malaysia amid trade tension
  • France and Britain unveil nuclear weapons co-operation to counter threat to Europe

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Jail for ex-auxiliary police officer who loaded 1 bullet and accidentally discharged revolver
  • Woman injured on SMRT bus after bottle thrown at vehicle shatters window
  • Singaporean drivers rack up over $17k in fines for VEP violations in 5 days
  • Roblox avatar and lantern: Star Awards 2025 looks that made us go 'huh?'
  • Long time no see! Sharon Au, Li Nanxing, Yvonne Lim and others return to Star Awards stage
  • 'Intimacy was not anything sexual', says man who drove car with lover's husband on bonnet
  • Boy, 9, has kidney removed after falling at Bukit Batok playground
  • 'We just want our money': Income Insurance shareholders disappointed at failed Allianz deal
  • Buying property in Malaysia as a Singaporean: 6 key restrictions to be aware of
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.