Heavy rain lashes parts of Singapore

Straits Times 18 Oct 12;

HEAVY rain in central Singapore yesterday afternoon peaked at over 106mm, almost equal to the total rainfall for the whole of last month.

The downpour, which lashed many parts of Singapore, prompted the National Environment Agency to issue a heavy rain warning.

At Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, water levels at the new man-made river rose significantly. The river, which was designed with a flood plain to help store excess stormwater, can hold 40 per cent more water than the section of canal it replaced. In heavy rain, the parkland surrounding it doubles as a channel to hold the deluge. National water agency PUB said the parkland had carried the stormwater as intended during yesterday's storm.

The river's rising water levels yesterday automatically triggered light, siren and audio announcements to warn park-goers.

But the PUB said it did not receive any calls from the public.

Red markers along the river, which serve as visual safety cues for the public, were not breached, said the PUB.

Elsewhere, flash floods were reported at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, and at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and Ang Mo Kio Street23.

DAVID EE