SINGAPORE – Taiwanese singer-actress Vivian Hsu found herself at the mercy of flash floods that struck Bukit Timah on December 29, following a torrential afternoon downpour that soaked the city.

On her social media, Hsu recounted the ordeal, “It seemed like a typical rainy day, and I had plans to grab my son Dalton’s favorite food from Din Tai Fung after spending time at a café with friends.” The 49-year-old mother juggles her career across Taiwan while residing in Singapore with her nine-year-old son from her former marriage to businessman Sean Lee.

Suddenly, the calm ambiance turned chaotic. Hsu described water surging almost to the height of her car door as she tried to navigate through the torrential rains. “I was shocked to see cockroaches and lizards scurrying for refuge on my vehicle,” she shared, reflecting the surreal nature of the flooding.

Undeterred, she made the decision to get her car, despite being drenched. However, her troubles escalated as she became stranded in the surging waters. “I witnessed rubbish bins floating by, and several vehicles appeared to be on the verge of submersion,” she recalled.

To add to her discomfort, Hsu expressed the unusual chill she felt sitting inside her car, an experience she described as a first for her in Singapore. Overwhelmed by the elements, she bravely exited her vehicle, braving the rising water to reach the safety of a nearby shopping mall. “I needed to find a restroom urgently, but the uncertainty of how long I'd be stuck made it worse,” Hsu said.

Wearing her cherished white sneakers, she eventually managed to escape the flood after an hour and accomplished her initial goal of obtaining her son’s beloved dumplings from Din Tai Fung.

In response to the deluge, Singapore's national water agency, PUB, announced on social media that flooding was reported along Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah Road near King Albert Park, starting around 5 PM. The agency's Quick Response Teams were dispatched preemptively and took immediate steps to close off affected areas to ensure public safety. They reported that the flash floods receded within 20 minutes, allowing normal traffic flow to resume.

This incident highlights the unpredictability of Singapore’s weather patterns and serves as a reminder for residents and visitors alike to remain vigilant during heavy rainfall, as unexpected urban flooding can occur with little warning. Stay safe and stay informed!