SINGAPORE: A significant weather event has led to the diversion of twelve flights from Changi Airport since Friday evening (January 10), due to a powerful monsoon surge that is drenching the city-state in prolonged rainfall.

The affected flights, serving a range of destinations including Bangkok, Jakarta, Phuket, and Shanghai, were rerouted to several regional airports, such as Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, and Batam. In a twist, six non-commercial flights that were originally heading for Seletar Airport found themselves landing at Changi Airport instead, illustrating the widespread impact of the inclement weather on flight operations.

As the rainy weather persists, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced continued delays and retimings for its flights on Monday. A spokesperson for SIA expressed sincere apologies for the inconvenience, emphasizing that the safety of customers and crew remains their utmost priority. The airline encourages passengers to keep their contact information up to date for flight status notifications via their mobile service.

Weather experts from the national water agency PUB confirmed that the rainfall has been considerable, with moderate to heavy downpours recorded in multiple areas across Singapore. The agency noted that since Friday, Changi Airport has recorded a staggering 255.2mm of rain - surpassing Singapore’s average monthly rainfall for January, which sits at 222.4mm.

This sudden monsoon surge is attributed to a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, resulting in extensive raincloud formation over the region. The forecast suggests that this wet spell will persist into Monday, raising concerns over potential flooding and further travel disruptions.

In light of the ongoing situation, travelers are advised to remain attentive to updates from airlines and to prepare for possible alternative travel plans as conditions continue to unfold. As the saying goes, "better safe than sorry," and in weather like this, staying informed could make a significant difference for those with upcoming flights.