Heavy rain, strong winds expected in Singapore from Dec 18-20

Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia 17 Dec 09;

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency's Meteorological Services Division said on Thursday that a monsoon surge is expected to intensify from December 18 to 20.

Moderate to heavy intermittent showers are expected, accompanied by moderate to strong winds.

Coupled with high tides of up to 3 metres, this could result in flash floods, particularly in low-lying areas of Singapore such as Lorong Buangkok, Jalan Seaview, Meyer Road and Everitt North Road.

In the event of flash floods from heavy storms, the public can call the PUB at 1800-284-6600 for assistance, to report obstructions in drains or to check the flood situation.


- CNA/so

Wet weather ahead
Today Online 18 Dec 09;

SINGAPORE - It's going to be wet and windy today and will stay that way over the next few days as Singapore experiences a monsoon surge.

There will be prolonged and widespread, intermittent moderate to heavy afternoon showers due to a marked and sudden increase of the strength of the monsoon winds over the South China Sea.

Moderate to strong winds and high tides of three metres are also expected, said the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) yesterday.

There could also be localised flash floods, especially in low-lying areas such as Lorong Buangkok, Jalan Seaview, Meyer Road, Lor 101 to Lor 106 Changi and Everitt North Road.

Pedestrians, motorists and residents are advised to exercise caution during this time when flash floods may occur during heavy storms.

Weather reports are available on NEA's website at www.nea.gov.sg and weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788, or by subscribing to Weather@SG at weather.nea.gov.sg.

The public can also contact PUB's 24-hour Call Centre at 1800 2846600 for assistance, to report obstructions in drains or to check the flood situation.

Don't leave home without your umbrella
Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 18 Dec 09;

IF YOU are planning to go out this weekend, take an umbrella with you. The weatherman has forecast rainy weather for the next three days.

The National Environment Agency's Meteorological Services Division said in a statement yesterday that a surge of north-easterly winds in the South China Sea is gathering in the region and could bring periods of moderate to heavy rain accompanied by strong winds.

The highest rainfall recorded for the first two weeks of this month has been 175mm to 210mm around Tuas and Jurong.

The average rainfall for the month of December is 288.9mm.

Mindful of the rising waters that affected Bukit Timah last month, PUB, the national water agency, has also issued a flood warning in the event that the heavy rain coincides with high tides.

Tide levels are expected to hover around the 3m mark in the next few days, which could precipitate flooding if they coincide with heavy rain over low-lying areas such as Lorong Buangkok, Jalan Seaview, Meyer Road and Everitt North Road.

Motorists, residents and pedestrians are advised to take extra precautions.

Building managements, especially those whose underground carparks were flooded last month, are gearing up to tackle possible inclement weather.

The Sixth Avenue Centre in Bukit Timah has installed an alarm system that will set off a

siren and flashing lights to prompt residents to move their vehicles when the water reaches a certain level.

The carpark was one of three that were partially submerged on Nov 19, when an intense downpour dumped half a month's worth of rain over the central part of Singapore in two hours.

For Ms Pauline Tan, 30, who runs a cafe in the building, the move has come a little late.

She lost her brand new $80,000 silver Peugeot 308 in the flood, although her insurance covered the loss.

'For every problem, there needs to be a solution. So, let's hope that this works and it does not happen again,' said Ms Tan.

She added: 'Every time it rains now, I make a quick check on the carpark.'

The wet spell is brought on by the onset of the north-east monsoon season, which usually lasts till January.