Flash floods at four locations amid heavy rain

SINGAPORE: Flash floods occurred in multiple locations on Sunday (Apr 20) as heavy rain hit parts of Singapore.

Kings Road, Bukit Timah Road, Coronation Walk and the junction of Stevens Road and Balmoral Road saw flash floods between 5pm and 6pm on Sunday.

National water agency PUB said in a Facebook post that intense rain "temporarily overwhelmed" the capacity of the surrounding drains and canals in these areas.

"PUB’s Quick Response Team was immediately deployed to direct traffic away from flooded lanes and provide assistance to motorists," it added.

It had issued flood risk warnings for 18 locations, including Bukit Timah, Toa Payoh and Jalan Boon Lay.

The heaviest rainfall of 113.2mm was recorded in central Singapore from 4.15pm to 6.25pm.

"This amount corresponds to nearly half of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in April, and lies within the top 2 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1978," said PUB.

Warnings of flash floods at Bukit Timah Road and Kings Road were issued at 5.05pm. 

Similar alerts for the junction of Stevens Road and Balmoral Road and Coronation Walk were issued at 5.20pm and 5.35pm respectively.

In a picture and video sent to CNA, cars were seen driving through the flash flood at Balmoral Road, while a canal at the park connector in Ulu Pandan overflowed.

Flooding subsided after about an hour at all four locations.

"The Bukit Timah area is prone to flooding and there are ongoing works to expand a section of the Bukit Timah Canal (from Rifle Range Road to Jalan Kampong Chantek) to enhance flood protection. Works are expected to be completed by 2026," said PUB.