Overview of the Incident

A sudden and severe flash flood inundated Ophir Road on the afternoon of November 17, driven by intense rainfall that affected various regions across Singapore.

Response from Authorities

The Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore's national water agency, promptly posted on social media at approximately 2:20 PM, confirming that officials were dispatched to the scene to assist stranded motorists and pedestrians. They urged the public to steer clear of the area due to hazardous conditions.

Flood Recovery

By around 3 PM, the situation improved, with PUB updating that the floodwaters at Ophir Road had receded enough for traffic to resume. In a later update on their Facebook account by 5:40 PM, the agency clarified that the flooding was primarily caused by elevated water levels in the nearby drainage system, indicating potential infrastructural issues that require future attention.

Warnings Issued

Earlier that day, the PUB had proactively issued a series of flash flood warnings, advising residents to stay vigilant and avoid several locations at risk due to the ongoing deluge. Specific areas identified in their advisory included Tanjong Pagar / Craig Road, Upper Hokkien Street / South Bridge Road, and Jalan Boon Lay (from Enterprise Road to International Road).

Rainfall Data

According to the National Environment Agency, as of 1:50 PM, substantial rainfall was being recorded predominantly in southern and western regions of the island. Notably, the heaviest precipitation measured on November 17 reached 67.4 mm, occurring between 1:10 PM and 2:55 PM. This remarkable volume accounts for 27% of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in November and ranks within the top 12% of maximum daily rainfall records since 1978.

Previous Incidents

On the preceding day, November 16, a similar weather pattern resulted in a flash flood on Bukit Timah Road, highlighting ongoing concerns about Singapore's drainage capabilities during extreme weather events.

Meteorological Forecasts

The Meteorological Service Singapore aptly forecasted, in its fortnightly report released on November 15, that the second half of November would see frequent moderate to heavy thundery showers, coinciding with the commencement of the northeast monsoon season. Such rainfall, typically starting in the late afternoon and sometimes extending into the night, is projected to be above average, with temperatures potentially dipping to a cool 23 degrees Celsius on particularly rainy days.

Public Advisory

For residents wishing to stay informed about weather conditions, the PUB recommends utilizing the MyENV app and subscribing to the PUB Flood Alerts Telegram Channel to receive timely notifications regarding heavy rain and flood risks.

Conclusion

Stay safe, and keep an eye on the skies!