Tampines Road hit by flash flood

Tampines Road hit by flash flood

A heavy midday downpour led to damage and disruption yesterday in Tampines Road, one of a handful of areas which saw flash floods in the afternoon.

The intense rain caused water to overflow from the Tampines Canal into residential areas, trapping parked cars, causing power outages and flooding homes.

Tampines Road was identified by PUB as a "hot spot" for flash floods, but the authority is hoping to address the problem with drainage improvements.

Physical works to widen and deepen the Tampines Canal are expected to start in the first quarter of next year. PUB is also currently upgrading the roadside drains in Jalan Teliti, and this is slated for completion in the third quarter of next year.

"When completed, these works will increase flood protection for the Tampines Road, Jalan Teliti and Hougang Avenue 1 areas," said a PUB spokesman.

Yesterday, water levels reached the windows of cars parked in the basement of Fortune Park Condominium in Tampines Road.

Residents of some houses along the road waded in ankle-deep water, with several expressing worries about coping with floods.

"Before the canal gets widened, PUB should make sure it responds more quickly when called to get pumps in, to minimise damage to property and disruption to residents," said Madam Ho Gek Leng, who chairs Fortune Park's management committee and has lived there for 18 years.

Residents could not get to work as they had to settle insurance claims or clean up homes, she said. "There have been cases of flooding in the past here, but this is the first time that it is this bad."

Other areas hit by flash floods yesterday included Lorong Gambir, MacPherson Road and Lorong Ong Lye - all of which are also set for drainage improvement works next year.

The highest rainfall recorded as at 5pm yesterday was 62.6mm in the Paya Lebar area - about a third of the record 160.8mm so far this month.

More thundery showers are expected over many areas this afternoon.

hpeishan@sph.com.sg

Additional reporting by Audrey Tan


This article was first published on Nov 18, 2014.
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