Flooding in some parts of Singapore due to heavy rain

By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia
28 August 2007

SINGAPORE: There was flooding in some parts of the island on Tuesday due to heavy rain, leading to traffic chaos.

The rain started early as Singaporeans were about to go to work or school, and it did not let up for much of the morning.

The rainfall recorded over a period of seven hours, from 7am to 2pm, hit 143mm – about 80 percent of what Singapore gets in a whole month.

According to records, the average total monthly rainfall for August is 175 mm.

The area near Commonwealth MRT station saw traffic slow down as some vehicles got caught in the flood waters.

Low-lying areas were the worst hit and water levels came up to the knees.

An SBS bus crashed into a taxi stand when its driver tried to drop off his passengers at the shelter off the main route amidst the heavy downpour.

An elderly woman was slightly injured when glass from the windshield fell on her and was later taken to the hospital.

Heavy rain also caused flash floods in central parts of Singapore.

Taxi-driver Ng Kim Wah said: "When I came here, the water-level was quite high but I could see the yellow markings. So I thought I could drive through. As I drove through, I didn't realise that my number plate dropped out. I think it was probably loose and the force of the water (caused it to drop)."

A few weeks ago, more than 80 percent of the island experienced less than average rainfall, but Singapore is starting to experience wet weather with the southwest monsoon prevailing in the region.

The weatherman expects showers in the mornings and rain with thunder in the afternoons.

Police received some ten calls on heavy flooding at Upper Bukit Timah Road, Cuscaden Road, Eng Neo Road, along the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), and the Commonwealth area.