Remember all these the next time you vote

[True Believer]

Cars are so prohibitively expensive that 90% of residents rely on public transport, which accounts for the "sardine cane" situation during rush hour.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Two floods during monsoon surge caused by lack of proper drainage: PUB​

Flooding near Marina Bay MRT Station on March 21.PHOTO: STOMP

Christie Chiu
Mar 24, 2025

SINGAPORE - Two incidents of flooding during the recent monsoon surge have been attributed to choked and the absence of drains, said national water agency PUB.

In a Facebook post on March 24, PUB said a flood occurred on March 21 along Central Lane 3 near the Marina Bay MRT station.

A report of this incident by Stomp on March 23 was accompanied by a video of a person walking in knee-high water towards a stationary taxi, with half its wheels submerged in the water.

The flooded area is a paved road built to facilitate access to an adjacent worksite, PUB said, adding its checks showed there was no proper drainage there to channel storm water.

The other flood happened on March 23 at the ground-floor lift lobby of 129 Bedok Reservoir Road, and the internal drains nearby were found choked with debris.

An article by Stomp on this incident was accompanied by a video that shows a corridor and lift lobby of a Housing Board block being covered with water.

PUB said both incidents could have been prevented with proper drainage measures and timely maintenance of the internal drainage system.


It added that it is working closely with the relevant authorities to address the issues.

The National Environment Agency had earlier warned of heavy downpours during a monsoon surge from March 19 to March 21, with short thundery showers expected in the afternoon on most days in the following week.

The highest rainfall across March 19 and March 20 was recorded at 318mm in Jurong West, while the highest amount recorded in eastern Singapore was 298.4mm.

These two numbers exceed Singapore’s average monthly rainfall of 209.7mm in March.

Other than the two incidents highlighted, a 15m stretch along the intersection of Mountbatten Road and Jalan Seaview experienced flooding for about two hours at around 2pm on March 20, PUB said in a Facebook post that day.

This was due to a combination of heavy rainfall and high tide that temporarily overwhelmed the adjacent canal and surrounding roadside drains.

The public can provide feedback on flooding incidents through the One Service app or contact PUB directly at 1800-CALL PUB (1800-225-5782).

 

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Forum: Make it easier for overseas Singaporeans to vote​

Apr 01, 2025

To qualify to vote, overseas Singaporeans would need to have resided in Singapore for an aggregate of at least 30 days within a three-year period before the day they register to be an overseas voter (GE2025: Singaporeans can check names from March 28 in voter rolls based on new electoral boundaries, March 27).

Why is this so? Many Singaporean citizens live overseas, promoting the Singaporean brand by making their mark in overseas markets and society. They are no lesser citizens than those who live all or most of their lives in Singapore.

Isn’t it a simple matter of proving their citizenship through their NRIC or passport, their electoral district through a registered local contact address, and their overseas resident status through a copy of their local resident visa?

The Elections Department needs to treat overseas citizens the same as resident citizens, and not create extra and unnecessary hurdles for them to vote.

Rahul Patwardhan

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Forum: Let Singaporeans vote in the elections, no matter where they are​

Apr 01, 2025

I am writing to express a concern regarding the voting rights of Singapore citizens who are required to travel abroad for work or other commitments during a general election.

Every citizen has the right to vote for the party he believes should lead the country. However, many of us face challenges in exercising this right due to travel obligations.

Currently, Singaporeans who reside abroad can vote at 10 Singapore overseas missions that also serve as overseas registration centres. While this is helpful, it does not address the situation for citizens who do not live overseas but happen to be abroad on Polling Day. As a result, they cannot cast their votes, leading to disenfranchisement.

In the light of this, I propose that the authorities explore more voting methods to ensure that all Singaporeans, regardless of their location, can participate in the democratic process.

One possible solution could be to enable overseas voting through the Singpass application or another secure digital platform. This would allow travelling citizens to vote remotely while maintaining the integrity and security of the election process.

I believe that implementing such a system is feasible with today’s technological advancements.

I hope the authorities can explore practical solutions that uphold the voting rights of all Singaporeans, no matter where they are.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: No success for single applying for HDB flat after 10 tries​

Apr 01, 2025

For the past three years, I have been diligently applying for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat under the singles scheme. I have submitted at least 10 applications, yet each attempt has ended in disappointment.

While I understand that demand for public housing is high and families are prioritised, the current balloting system appears to put singles at a distinct disadvantage.

Up till recently, singles could apply for only two-room flexi flats in non-mature estates. Even with the changes made to allow singles to apply for two-room flexi flats across all types of BTO projects, the odds of securing a flat are still low, with thousands of applicants competing for these units.

To make the BTO application process more equitable for singles, the Housing Board could consider the following improvements:

- Increase the supply of two-room flexi flats

With the growing number of singles in Singapore, it is time to allocate more units to meet the demand.

- Introduce a priority scheme for repeat applicants

Just as families with young children receive additional ballot chances, singles who have applied unsuccessfully multiple times should be given some form of priority.

- Greater transparency in the balloting process

Applicants should have clearer insights into whether certain factors influence the outcome. Providing a clearer breakdown of application statistics would help manage expectations.

- Consider allowing singles to apply for three-room flats

While families will always take precedence, permitting singles to ballot for three-room flats in selected estates could provide additional pathways for home ownership.

Home ownership is a fundamental aspiration for many Singaporeans, regardless of their marital status. If the Government’s commitment to making public housing affordable and accessible includes all citizens, then the system must evolve to reflect the changing demographics and needs of our society.

Tuan Ming Lee

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Bus driver continued journey even though air-conditioning was not working​

Apr 09, 2025

I had the misfortune of boarding SBS service 121 on April 3 around 7.20pm.

It was only after it had left the bus stop that I realised there was no air-conditioning and no opening for ventilation.

When the bus driver confirmed that the air-conditioning was not working and that the service was continuing, I asked if he could open the doors for ventilation.

He said the doors could be opened only at bus stops.

I decided to endure the ride till it reached my destination at Tiong Bahru MRT station, given the heavy downpour and my lack of familiarity with the bus route in the dark.

With my history of asthma, I did my best and pulled out a fan to circulate the air around me.

But the lack of air circulation got to me and I had to get off at some remote stop.

No satisfactory response came from SBS Transit following my report of the incident.

The bus driver should have stopped as soon as possible and not allowed any boarding once the air-conditioning broke down.

SBS should take steps to prevent something like this from happening again and not just apologise for any distress or inconvenience caused.

Molly Lim

 

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Forum: No success for single applying for HDB flat after 10 tries​

Apr 01, 2025

For the past three years, I have been diligently applying for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat under the singles scheme. I have submitted at least 10 applications, yet each attempt has ended in disappointment.

While I understand that demand for public housing is high and families are prioritised, the current balloting system appears to put singles at a distinct disadvantage.

Up till recently, singles could apply for only two-room flexi flats in non-mature estates. Even with the changes made to allow singles to apply for two-room flexi flats across all types of BTO projects, the odds of securing a flat are still low, with thousands of applicants competing for these units.

To make the BTO application process more equitable for singles, the Housing Board could consider the following improvements:

- Increase the supply of two-room flexi flats

With the growing number of singles in Singapore, it is time to allocate more units to meet the demand.

- Introduce a priority scheme for repeat applicants

Just as families with young children receive additional ballot chances, singles who have applied unsuccessfully multiple times should be given some form of priority.

- Greater transparency in the balloting process

Applicants should have clearer insights into whether certain factors influence the outcome. Providing a clearer breakdown of application statistics would help manage expectations.

- Consider allowing singles to apply for three-room flats

While families will always take precedence, permitting singles to ballot for three-room flats in selected estates could provide additional pathways for home ownership.

Home ownership is a fundamental aspiration for many Singaporeans, regardless of their marital status. If the Government’s commitment to making public housing affordable and accessible includes all citizens, then the system must evolve to reflect the changing demographics and needs of our society.

Tuan Ming Lee

Apr 09, 2025

I thank the Housing Board for its reply “More 2-room HDB flexi flats to meet demand from first-timer singles” (April 7) to my letter “No success for single applying for HDB flat after 10 tries” (April 1).

However, I would like to address two of the suggestions it offered – namely, to apply for projects with lower application rates and to consider the resale market with grants.

First, the recommendation to choose Build-To-Order (BTO) projects in areas with lower application rates, such as Jurong West or Queenstown, may sound practical, but it does not consider the constraints that many singles face.

For some of us, our livelihoods, caregiving responsibilities or access to essential services are closely tied to specific regions.

Moving to a location simply because the application rate is lower may disrupt our lives.

Furthermore, even within those developments, the number of two-room flexi units for singles is small, and the odds remain slim.

Second, the resale market is not a feasible alternative for many singles. While HDB points out that grants of up to $115,000 are available, the reality is that resale flats – especially in mature estates – are often priced two or three times more than a comparable BTO unit.


In my case, I am eligible for only one of the three grants, making the cost gap even wider.

Even with maximum subsidies, resale flats remain out of reach for singles who earn modest incomes and do not have the benefit of dual-income households.

I hope HDB can better recognise the real-life challenges that many single applicants face – financial constraints, limited options and repeated balloting disappointments – and consider refining the system. Making the process more equitable, such as by introducing priority schemes for long-time unsuccessful applicants, would be a good start.

Tuan Ming Lee

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Afternoon deluge leads to flash floods in parts of north-east Singapore​

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An elderly PMA rider was caught in a flooded pedestrian path while traveling along Yishun Avenue 2 on April 13.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

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PUB has warned of the risk of flash floods in several parts of Singapore amid heavy downpour.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

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PUB at about 1.20pm said heavy rain was expected over many areas of Singapore from 1.30pm to 3pm. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

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Pedestrians navigating their way around a ponding on the pedestrian walkway along Upper Serangoon Road during a heavy downpour on April 13.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

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Ponding on the pedestrian walkway along Upper Serangoon Road during a heavy downpour on April 13.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

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A pedestrian caught in the heavy downpour along Toa Payoh Lorong 8, at 2.10pm on April 13.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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Vihanya Rakshika
Apr 13, 2025

SINGAPORE - Torrential rain across Singapore on the afternoon of April 13 led to flash floods at three locations in the north-east: Yishun Avenue 7, a section of the KPE (slip road to Buangkok East Drive), and Punggol Way (slip road to TPE).

National water agency PUB, in a Facebook post on the same day, said that the flooding at all three locations subsided within an hour, by 3pm.

The heaviest rainfall of around 114mm was recorded in the northern part of the island between 12.55pm and 2.45pm. This, said PUB, was equivalent to 47 per cent of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall in April and ranked within the top 2 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1978.

The heavy downpour had earlier prompted the agency to also issue flash flood risk alerts for 13 locations, including in Punggol, Yishun, Toa Payoh and Bukit Timah, where the heavy rain resulted in high water levels in drains and canals.

The series of alerts followed a post on its X account at about 1.20pm that warned that heavy rain was expected over many areas of Singapore from 1.30pm to 3pm.

Mr Ong, 48, who wanted to be known by only his surname, told The Straits Times that he was driving his family members home from a prayer session around Tampines at about 2.30pm.

They were heading towards Buangkok Drive via the KPE when, about five minutes into the drive, he noticed the floodwaters around the car getting higher.

Mr Ong stopped briefly to assess the situation, and as the water level rose, he decided to make a U-turn and drive in the opposite direction to avoid the flood.

Mr Ong made a U-turn on the KPE after rising floodwaters forced him to reroute with his family in tow.PHOTO: ST READER
Netizens also took to social media to share images and videos of the rain and waterlogged areas across the island.

Mr Mohd Hakim Musa, who shared images of a waterlogged carpark in Chong Pang on Facebook, said it was the first time he could recall seeing it flooded in his 12 years of living in the area.

“It’s not that serious, but it brings back memories of my childhood, when my friends and I would play with paper boats and run around in the rain,” he added.


Facebook user Tracy Lim said that road visibility was affected by the rain as she was driving along the TPE.


Meanwhile, TikTok user Sure Bo posted a video showing a slightly flooded walkway and rain-slicked roads in Yishun. One commenter remarked: “Don’t complain, just thank God for what we get, especially since Singapore is safe.”


The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on April 1 said moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over parts of Singapore in the afternoon on most days of April.

The total rainfall for the first half of April is expected to be above average across most parts of the island, MSS said.

Daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 deg C and 34 deg C on most days, with some days possibly reaching up to 35 deg C.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Yishun hit by second flash flood in 3 days after torrential rain​

A PMA rider was caught in a flooded pedestrian path in Yishun Avenue 2 on April 13. Moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over parts of Singapore in the afternoon on most days of April.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Calista Wong
Apr 17, 2025

SINGAPORE – Heavy rain on the afternoon of April 15 led to a flash flood in Yishun Avenue 7, near the intersection of Yishun Street 22.

The flood, which was reported by national water agency PUB in a post on X at 4.35pm, subsided by 4.55pm, the agency said in a later update.

PUB also advised the public to avoid the area around TPE (Punggol West Flyover) for an hour from 4.55pm due to heavy rains.

Earlier, it had also warned that heavy rain was expected over northern, eastern and central areas of Singapore for about an hour from 4.55pm.

Yishun Avenue 7 was also affected by flash floods on April 13 during torrential rain across the island. Two other north-east locations affected were: a section of the KPE (slip road to Buangkok East Drive), and Punggol Way (slip road to TPE).

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on April 1 said that moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over parts of Singapore in the afternoon on most days of April. The showers may extend into the evening on a couple of days of the month.

The inter-monsoon conditions, characterised by light and variable winds, and higher lightning activity, usually last until May and are expected to gradually weaken.

The total rainfall for the first half of April is expected to be above average across most parts of the island, MSS said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Flash floods in Bukit Timah as PUB issues islandwide alerts​

Water is seen rising in Balmoral Road on April 20.PHOTO: ST READER
Calista Wong
Apr 20, 2025

SINGAPORE - Heavy showers on the afternoon of April 20 led to flash floods in several parts of Bukit Timah.

The affected areas were Bukit Timah Road, between Clementi Road and Blackmore Drive; Kings Road, between Prince Road and Lutheran Road; the junction between Stevens Road and Balmoral Road; and Coronation Walk.

Flood risk warnings were issued for a total of 18 locations, including Paya Lebar, Orchard Road, Thomson Road, Toa Payoh, Hillcrest Road, Sunset Drive, Boon Lay, and Alexandra Road.

National water agency PUB said its Quick Response Team was deployed to direct traffic away from flooded lanes and provide assistance to motorists.

The flash floods subsided after about an hour at all four waterlogged locations.

Local actor-host Darren Lim was among the many who were caught off guard by the fast-rising waters.

In an Instagram video, the 52-year-old is seen carrying his son Elliot on his shoulders, as he waded through the knee-deep muddy water to get his car after picking up his son from a tuition class in Bukit Timah.

Lim asks his son “is this fun or not”, to which the boy replies “it’s very scary”.


In a Facebook post on April 20, PUB said that the heaviest rainfall of 113.2mm was recorded in the central area from 4.15pm to 6.25pm.

This corresponds to nearly half of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall in April and, like in the case of an afternoon deluge on April 13, lies within the top 2 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1978.

PUB said the Bukit Timah area is prone to flooding, and works are ongoing to expand a section of the Bukit Timah Canal – from Rifle Range Road to Jalan Kampong Chantek – to enhance flood protection. The works are expected to be completed by 2026.

Earlier, National Environment Agency warned that moderate to heavy thundery showers with gusty winds were expected over the northern, southern and central areas of Singapore for an hour from 4.25pm.

The Meteorological Service Singapore on April 16 said that in the second half of the month, short thundery showers were expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days, with some extending into the evening.

Daily maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 33 deg C and 34 deg C on most days, with highs of around 35 deg C on some days.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Flash flood in Yishun Ave 7 is estate’s third in 9 days​

Heavy downpours have persisted since the start of April.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Vihanya Rakshika
Apr 22, 2025

SINGAPORE – A heavy downpour on the afternoon of April 21 led to a flash flood in Yishun Avenue 7.

National water agency PUB reported the flood at 3.30pm on X, and said that its officers were deployed to help those affected and direct traffic away from flood waters.

The flash flood, which occurred near the intersection of Yishun Street 22, subsided after about 25 minutes. It was the third flash flood that had taken place in Yishun in nine days.

In a Facebook post on the evening of April 21, PUB said: “This location has experienced flooding over the past two weeks due to heavy rain temporarily overwhelming the drainage capacity of the roadside drains.

“PUB has designated this location as a flood hot spot and will be implementing measures to enhance the drainage in this area.”

It added in its post that the heaviest rainfall on April 21 of 102.8mm was recorded in northern Singapore, from 2.55pm to 5.05pm. This amount corresponds to 42 per cent of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall in April, and lies within the top 3 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1978.

April 21 is also the second consecutive day that flash floods have been reported in Singapore.

On April 20, heavy showers in the afternoon led to flash floods in several parts of Bukit Timah. They followed flash flood risk warnings issued by PUB for 18 locations, including Paya Lebar, Orchard Road, Thomson Road, Toa Payoh, Hillcrest Road, Sunset Drive, Boon Lay and Alexandra Road.

Yishun Avenue 7 was affected by flash floods on April 13, along with two other locations in the north-east: the KPE slip road to Buangkok East Drive, and the Punggol Way slip road to the TPE.

On April 15, heavy rain led to a flash flood in Yishun Avenue 7 again, near the intersection with Yishun Street 22.

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on April 16 said short thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days in the second half of the month, with some extending into the evening.

Heavy downpours have persisted since the start of April, with the heaviest recorded on April 13, when 117mm of rainfall was measured around the Yishun Ring Road area. According to MSS, this is the highest daily rainfall recorded for the first half of the month.

Despite frequent rain in the first two weeks of April, nine days saw temperatures reaching 34 deg C or higher. The highest daily maximum temperature so far this month is 36.2 deg C, recorded in Paya Lebar on April 12.

Singapore’s all-time highest temperature remains at 37 deg C, recorded in Ang Mo Kio on May 13, 2023, and in Tengah on April 17, 1983.

MSS noted that most parts of Singapore received above-average rainfall in the first half of April. Rainfall in Yio Chu Kang Road was around 217 per cent above average, while Kranji Reservoir saw rainfall 9 per cent below average.