Monsoon surge expected to affect region over next few days

Patwant Singh Channel NewsAsia 18 Dec 13;

SINGAPORE: According to the Met Service, a steady strengthening of winds over the South China Sea known as a monsoon surge is expected to affect the region over the next few days.

The surge is likely to bring intermittent rain, heavy at times, between December 19 and 22, 2013.

High tides of 3.1m are expected during this period.

Date

December 19, 2013 2.8m at 12.54am 3.1m at 11.46am
December 20, 2013 2.8m at 1.24am 3.1m at 12.20pm
December 21, 2013 2.8m at 1.52am 3.0m at 12.52pm
December 22, 2013 2.8m at 2.20am 3.0m at 1.26pm
The National Environment Agency said heavy rain coinciding with high tides could lead to localised flash floods, especially in low-lying areas.

In the past few weeks, short thundery showers affected Singapore in the afternoon and early evening due to the Northeast Monsoon.

As of December 17, the wettest areas were in the northeast with rainfall of around 85 to 98 per cent of the long-term monthly average, and the driest parts were in the south and west where 30 to 40 per cent of the long-term monthly average rainfall was recorded.

The public is advised to exercise caution during the monsoon season when flash floods may occur in the event of heavy rainfall.

The public can obtain the latest weather reports, including heavy rain warnings, at NEA's website.

They can also access the mobile weather service at Weather@SG, or by calling the NEA's weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788.

In the event of flash floods, the public can log on to PUB's Facebook page or PUB's Twitter, or tune in to radio broadcasts, to find out locations of flash floods.

Additionally, they can download national water agency PUB's free mobile app "MyWaters" for updates on water levels in key drains and canals, as well as receive flash flood alerts.

PUB said heavy rain fell in several parts of Singapore on Wednesday.

Intense rain caused flash floods at the following locations:
• Jalan Seaview
• Slip road from Yishun Ave 5 to Yishun Ave 2
• Road shoulder near centre median of PIE 14.5km toward Changi (Near Woodsville Flyover)

The flash floods at Jalan Seaview and along a short stretch of PIE road shoulder towards Changi (near Woodville flyover) subsided within 20 minutes, while the flash flood at the slip road from Yishun Ave 5 to Yishun Ave 2 subsided within 10 minutes.

PUB said Jalan Seaview is a known low-lying area, and ongoing drainage improvement works are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2014.

Drainage works scheduled at Yishun Ave 2 and Yishun Ave 5 will start in the second quarter of 2014.

Drainage openings at the centre median drain of the affected stretch of PIE will be enlarged.

- CNA/gn