Localised flash floods after heavy, intense rain

Localised flash floods after heavy, intense rain
By Jo-ann Huang | Posted: 04 May 2011 1907 hrs

SINGAPORE: Flash floods occurred in at least six locations around Ang Mo Kio and Bishan in mid-afternoon on Thursday.

According to the PUB, the national water agency, the floods were caused by heavy and intense rain over many parts of Singapore.

About 90mm of rain fell in less than one hour between 3pm and 4pm. The amount of rainfall is approximately more than 50% of the average monthly rainfall for May.

PUB says the flash floods subsided within 20 minutes.

Some ground-floor shopkeepers in Ang Mo Kio said they had to scramble to keep the floodwaters out of their premises.

Even regular customers like Shi Jun Wen, who was at a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic at that time, were roped in to help.

But a small step in front of the clinic at Block 330, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 had kept the floods at bay.

Mr Shi said the water would have entered the clinic if the downpour had continued beyond 4pm.

He said: "In my experience, I have never seen such heavy rain. It was so heavy that I had to grab some towels to keep the shopfront dry, because we have furniture and beds to protect from the water. But I have never seen anything like this (before)."

- CNA/ir

- wong chee tat :)