SINGAPORE – Bukit Timah was struck by flash floods following a sudden and intense afternoon rainfall on December 29, causing significant disruptions in the area.

The national water agency, PUB, reported flash floods along Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah Road near King Albert Park. These floods began around 5:10 PM and were reported to have subsided by 5:22 PM. Quick response teams were dispatched to manage the situation, assisting the public by closing affected lanes and rerouting traffic away from the flooded regions.

It’s important to note that the Bukit Timah district is particularly vulnerable to flooding. Over the past decade, PUB has conducted various drainage improvement efforts along Bukit Timah Canal and the Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal to address persistent flooding issues. In a long-term strategy, a project to widen and deepen a 900-meter stretch of Bukit Timah Canal—extending from Rifle Range Road to Jalan Kampong Chantek—is underway, and is set to be completed by 2026.

The extraordinary rainfall on December 29 measured a staggering 134.6mm in central Singapore from 3:15 PM to 5:25 PM. To put this in perspective, this amount represents 41% of the average monthly rainfall for December and ranks within the top 1% of maximum daily rainfall recorded since 1978. Shortly before 5 PM, the PUB noted on X that heavy rain was expected to continue for at least another hour.

Consequently, PUB issued multiple flood-risk alerts for various regions, including Choa Chu Kang, Toa Payoh, and Bukit Timah itself. Specific areas to avoid included: - Dunearn Road (from Yarwood Avenue to Binjai Park) - Bukit Timah Road (from Wilby Road to Blackmore Drive) - Upper Hokkien Street - Craig Road (from Duxton Road to Tanjong Pagar Road) - Several junctions across the island, including Lorong Gambir and Thomson Road.

In preparation for possible flood conditions, residents were advised to steer clear of affected areas to ensure their safety.

In a recent advisory from the Meteorological Service Singapore on December 16, it was noted that thundery showers were anticipated over various parts of Singapore in the afternoons throughout that week. While the rain is expected to ease during the last week of December, some windy days with brief passing showers may still occur, attributed to the strengthening of northerly winds.

As Singapore continues to grapple with weather unpredictability, the emphasis on improving flood resilience in vulnerable areas like Bukit Timah remains paramount. Stay informed and prepared as more heavy rains could strike at any moment!