Introduction

SINGAPORE – On the morning of January 11, temperatures plunged to a cool 21.6 °C in Newton, nearing the 2024 record low of 21.4 °C. This weather phenomenon was accompanied by heavy rainfall that persisted overnight, with the most significant downpour measured at 86.8mm in Pasir Panjang as of 9 am.

Impact on Traffic

The severe weather brought strong winds and relentless rain that swept across the island, toppling trees and causing widespread disruptions to traffic. Rush-hour commutes turned into nightmares, with some experiencing significant delays and even missing flights to Changi Airport due to the massive gridlock that ensued.

Social Media Reactions

Social media was abuzz with frustrated commuters sharing their experiences. Notably, Nazli Haffiz took to Facebook to express his annoyance after missing his flight to Kuala Lumpur on January 10, forcing him to book the next available flight and spend 12 hours at the airport.

Visual Evidence

Visuals shared with The Straits Times presented a scene of chaos, showing fallen trees blocking roads and damaged vehicles. A video captured a large tree at One Degree 15 Marina crushing a parked car, further illustrating the extent of the disruption.

Emergency Response

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported receiving calls around 8 pm on January 10 but confirmed that fortunately, no injuries were sustained despite the hazards. Marine Parade GRC MP Seah Kian Peng also shared images of fallen trees, assuring the public that emergency services were on site and no one was harmed.

Warnings from NEA

The National Environment Agency (NEA) had issued prior warnings on January 9 about a monsoon surge, advising that extreme rainfall could temporarily overwhelm the city’s drainage systems, leading to localized flooding. Areas such as Tanjong Katong and Jalan Pokok Serunai were put on flood risk alerts as conditions deteriorated.

Cooler Temperatures

By the morning of January 11, temperatures in neighborhoods like Admiralty, Choa Chu Kang, and Jurong West oscillated between 21 to 23 °C, giving residents a rare chance to don their sweaters and rain gear. Many took to social media to delight in the cooler temperatures: Joyce Sg enjoyed the cool breeze, while Kiwi Edward Lim appreciated the temporary reprieve from car washing.

Future Weather Predictions

Looking ahead, the situation may worsen — Singapore is currently under a La Niña watch as predicted by the Meteorological Service Singapore, leading to expectations of even more rainfall in the upcoming months.

Conclusion

As we brace for continued unpredictable weather patterns, Singaporeans are reminded to prepare for the potential of underwhelmed streets and higher-than-normal rainfall. Stay tuned for more updates!