Expect heavy rain, high tides in Singapore

Straits Times 15 Dec 08;

KEEP the umbrella handy, if you are heading outdoors over the next few days.

The weatherman expects periods of 'moderate to heavy rain' on at least a day or two till Wednesday.

Heavy rain, coinciding with high tides, could lead to flash floods in low-lying areas such as Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Jalan Seaview, Mountbatten Road, Meyer Road, Lorong 101 to Lorong 106 Changi and Everitt North Road, said the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Tides of up to 3.2m are also expected these few days - at 12.11pm today and at 1pm tomorrow. Usually, high tides here are about 2.7m to 2.8m.

The national water agency, PUB, had sent earlier advisories to residents and shop-owners in these low-lying areas to warn them of possible flash floods and alert them of precautions they could take to protect their property.

The PUB has also stepped up the inspection and cleansing of 90 flooding 'hot spots' islandwide to ensure that the drainage system is not blocked.

Even though the recently-opened Marina Barrage, a dam built across the Marina Channel, acts as a tidal barrier to alleviate flash floods in low-lying areas in the city, residents and shop-owners in areas such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Geylang and Jalan Besar are also advised to protect their property if the skies pours continuously.

The public can get the latest weather reports, including heavy rain warnings, by calling NEA's weather forecast hotline at 6542-7788. They can also check the weather report at www.nea.gov.sg.

People can also call PUB-One at 1800-284-6600 to report obstructions in drains or to check on the flood situation.

Monsoon rain may bring flash floods: NEA
Straits Times 15 Dec 08;

RESIDENTS and shopkeepers in flood-prone areas such as Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Jalan Seaview, Mountbatten Road/Meyer Road, Lorong 101 to Lorong 106 Changi and Everitt North Road, as well as motorists driving through these places, are advised to exercise caution over the next few days, when the monsoons are forecast to bring moderate to heavy rain.

According to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Meteorological Services Division, moderate to heavy rain is expected to fall islandwide from now until Wednesday, coinciding with high tides ranging from3.1 to 3.2 metres between noon and 2pm. As a result, flash floods may occur in these areas, it warned.

Light to moderate rain fell in many parts of Singapore yesterday and there were no reports of flooding as of 6pm.

The Public Utilities Board (PUB), the national water agency, has stepped up monitoring and intensified the inspection and cleansing of 90 hotspots island-wide to ensure that the drainage system is not blocked.

While the Marina Barrage acts as a tidal barrier to alleviate flash floods in low-lying areas in the city, residents and shop-owners in areas such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Geylang and Jalan Besar are also advised to take the necessary precautions to protect their belongings in the event of prolonged heavy rain coinciding with high tides.

The NEA will issue warnings through the media when heavy rain or prolonged monsoon rain is expected. The public can obtain the latest weather reports by calling the NEA’s weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788, or visiting www.nea.gov.sg. They can also call PUB-One at 1800 284 6600 to report obstructions in drains or to check the flood situation.