Heavy rainfall causes flash floods in western Singapore, subsides within 30 minutes
Flash floods struck western Singapore on 4 December after heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems. PUB reported over 113mm of rain in under two hours, with quick mitigation efforts resolving flooding within 30 minutes.
- Intense rainfall in western Singapore on 4 December caused flash floods at four locations.
- PUB recorded 113.4mm of rainfall within two hours, making it one of the top 2% daily rainfall events since 1978.
- Flash floods subsided within 30 minutes after intervention by PUB’s Quick Response Teams.
Several areas in western Singapore experienced flash floods on 4 December 2025 following an intense afternoon downpour, according to national water agency PUB.
Between 1:45pm and 3:25pm, the west of the island saw the heaviest rainfall, amounting to 113.4mm. This was equivalent to 36 per cent of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall for December.
PUB noted that this volume of rain places the event within the top 2 per cent of maximum daily rainfall recorded since 1978.
The intense downpour overwhelmed the capacity of local drainage infrastructure, leading to flash floods at four sites: the junction of Boon Lay Way and Corporation Road, Boon Lay Avenue (between Jalan Boon Lay and Boon Lay Drive), Pandan Road, and Pesawat Drive.
PUB stated in a Facebook post that its Quick Response Teams were deployed immediately. These teams redirected traffic from flooded areas and assisted affected motorists.
Flooding was resolved within 30 minutes at all four affected locations, PUB confirmed.
PUB had issued flood risk warnings for nine areas ahead of the incident, including Boon Lay, Clementi, and Tanjong Pagar. The alerts were part of ongoing advisories in anticipation of severe weather during the Northeast Monsoon period.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) had earlier forecast moderate to heavy thundery showers over Singapore on most afternoons during the first half of December.
In its outlook released on 2 December, NEA stated that the northeast monsoon would continue, with prevailing winds from the northwest or northeast. Some showers were expected to extend into the evenings.
The total rainfall for the first fortnight of December is forecast to be near average for most parts of the island, despite the possibility of intense localised storms.
PUB encouraged the public to remain updated through official channels, including the myENV mobile app and its Telegram channel for flood alerts. It also urged residents to familiarise themselves with flood safety measures via its online resources.
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