Singapore - Very bad flood today

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4704829161_f2d7d38690.jpg

Most of the stores in the area are flooded, so avoid Orchard Rd today if possible.

Rainy season now....very wet for the past few weeks, and probably more rain to come....

So when is it the worst time to go to Singapore in regards to weather..... Was considering a trip to SIN on 6/24-6/27...

So when is it the worst time to go to Singapore in regards to weather..... Was considering a trip to SIN on 6/24-6/27...

Well, many would say June-July due to heavy rain probabilities. Take an umbrella.

So when is it the worst time to go to Singapore in regards to weather..... Was considering a trip to SIN on 6/24-6/27...

Alternatively, it's always either hot and sunny or hot and rainy. Seriously, I personally have found the weather to have gotten a lot less predictable over the years I have been here. So I don't think there's a worst time. Given your EWR/JFK location, think about NYC weather during the dog days of August, only year round. As jiejie says, bring an umbrella - for the rainy days. I suggest you bring sunglasses for the sunny ones.

BTW, about today's storm: it's a serious monsoon like rainstorm, but it doesn't happen all that often - maybe once every six to eighteen months. As for ws8n's screengrab off the tv, the picture is highly unusual as Orchard Road (what's being pictured) normally has extremely good drainage. Channelnewsasia (the TV station from where the photo comes from) reported tonight that the Environment Ministry is investigating why the system flooded so badly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHreHQWwO_k&feature=related

Thanks guys!

Well, many would say June-July due to heavy rain probabilities. Take an umbrella.
Actually November-December is usually considered the rainy season. However, as you can see from the chart below, it rains pretty constantly throughout the year:

http://asiaforvisitors.com/singapore/singrain.gif

I have to underline that Orchard Rd getting flooded is highly unusual. Flooding of any sort anywhere on the island is unusual (once every year or two?), and if it happens, it's usually only low-lying areas like Geylang that get hit.

I have to underline that Orchard Rd getting flooded is highly unusual. Flooding of any sort anywhere on the island is unusual (once every year or two?), and if it happens, it's usually only low-lying areas like Geylang that get hit.

Indeed unusual, but it's already happened again just a month later! Very heavy rains starting about 4ish AM, and flooding reported in the east, west, and central parts of SG. Apparently 178mm of rain fell in 2hrs. Looking at the chart above, that's like all of July's total in past years!

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_554647.html

I think the main problem is the increasing 'concretisation' of Singapore, not only building up with new malls & condos, but down with extending the subway lines. The floods have happened with large amts of rain coming down in a small period of time - the waters usually subside within an hour, but do leave quite a mess behind. I feel sorry for car owners who've been hit a second time! Car prices aren't cheap these days.

I think the main problem is the increasing 'concretisation' of Singapore, not only building up with new malls & condos, but down with extending the subway lines. The floods have happened with large amts of rain coming down in a small period of time - the waters usually subside within an hour, but do leave quite a mess behind. I feel sorry for car owners who've been hit a second time! Car prices aren't cheap these days.

I suspect the explanation is rather more prosaic: there's been a ton of construction on Orchard lately, esp. the ION Orchard/Paterson complex with its new underpasses etc at the epicentre of the floods, and I'd bet the builders simply dumped their waste in the drains and clogged them. :td:

There are as many theories as there are pp living in Singapore - but only the govt really knows, and they aren't gonna tell!