The heavy rain caused flooding at the Orchard Road and the Scotts Road intersection for about an hour making it impassable to traffic. -- PHOTO: STOMP
FLASH floods caused by heavy downpour on Wednesday morning created traffic havoc in many parts of central Singapore, with flood waters rising to knee high in some areas, making them impassable to cars.
Traffic lights were out at some inter-sections and a tree fell near the Buyong Road exit of the Central Expressway Tunnel, towards Ayer Rajah Expressway, blocking traffic across three lanes. The fallen tree has been removed.
Large stretches of Orchard Road and Scotts Road intersection were flooded for about an hour, making it impassable to traffic. Other parts of central Singapore, including Coronation Road West, Fourth Avenue, Kings Road, Kheam Hock Road and Veerasamy Road were also affected, bringing traffic to a crawl.
The National Environment Agency, in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, said almost 100 mm of rain fell within a two-hour period from about 9 am to 11 am.
'The amount of rainfall is approximately more than 60% of the average monthly rainfall for June,' said the NEA.
PUB, Traffic Police and SCDF officers were at the various sites providing help to motorists and directing traffic.
The PUB advises the public to exercise caution as flash floods may still occur in the event of heavy storms. The cause of the flood is still being investigated.
