Exceptionally heavy rain expected in Dec, flash floods may occur
PUBLISHED ONDecember 18, 2013 1:12 PM
SINGAPORE - Exceptionally heavy showers are expected to hit Singapore within the next few days due to a monson surge in the South China Sea, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Wednesday.
Overall rainfall for the entire month of December is expected to be around 10-30 per cent above average.
In an advisory, NEA said that a steady strengthening of winds over the South China Sea is expected to affect countries in the region over the next few days. This monsoon surge is likely to bring intermittent rain, heavy at times, with occasional windy conditions to Singapore on one to two days between December 19-22. High tides of 3.1m are expected during this period.
The agency warned that heavy rain and high tides could lead to localised flash floods especially in the low-lying areas.
Since late-November, Singapore has been experiencing Northeast Monsoon conditions, with short thundery showers mostly in the afternoons and early evenings. As of December 17, the wettest areas in Singapore were in the northeast, where rainfall has hit around 85 to 98 per cent of the long-term monthly average.
The driest parts of the island were in the south and west where 30 to 40 per cent of the long-term monthly average rainfall was recorded.
NEA will issue warnings through the media when heavy rain or prolonged monsoon rain is expected.
The public can obtain the latest weather reports, including heavy rain warnings, at NEA's website at www.nea.gov.sg. They can also assess 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 (www.facebook.com/PUBSg) or PUB's Twitter (twitter.com/PUBSingapore), or tune in to radio broadcasts, to find out locations of flash floods.
Additionally, they can download PUB's free mobile app "MyWaters", for updates on water level in key drains and canals and flash flood alerts.
ljessica@sph.com.sg
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