Between January 10 and 13, 2025, Singapore turned into a giant puddle as a monsoon surge brought prolonged heavy rainfall, causing widespread disruptions and flash floods. The relentless downpours tested the city’s famed efficiency and reminded everyone that when it rains, it pours—literally. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen crazy rain – we live in the tropics, after all!
Changi recorded a whopping 255.2mm of rain over two days, January 10 and 11. That’s more than the country’s average monthly rainfall of 222.4mm for January—in just 48 hours! If you thought your umbrella could keep you dry, think again. The deluge left many areas waterlogged and stretched Singapore’s drainage systems to their limits.
Not everything about the monsoon surge was gloomy. On the morning of January 11, Newton’s thermometer dipped to 21.6°C, just shy of last year’s record low of 21.4°C. Some residents welcomed the sweater weather, while others mourned their soggy shoes. At least the rainfall made it easier to justify staying indoors with a hot cup of kopi.
Flooding Incidents
Flood risk warnings popped up faster than you could say “high tide.” There were several flood risk warnings on Jan 10 and 11 in the East Coast.
On January 10, Jalan Seaview decided to live up to its name by briefly resembling a canal, thanks to heavy rain combined with a high tide of 2.8m. Drains struggled to keep up, and residents were left tiptoeing around flooded areas or waiting for the water to recede. The Public Utilities Board (PUB) reminded everyone to avoid flood-prone areas unless they fancied a free foot soak.
Travel Disruptions
Rain didn’t just stop at flooding roads; it grounded planes too. Singapore Airlines had over 50 flights delayed or rescheduled due to the persistent rain and adverse weather conditions. A total of 12 flights bound for Changi Airport decided to skip the drama and headed to other airports. The flights, operated by various airlines, were from destinations including Bangkok, Jakarta, Phuket, and Shanghai. Passengers were rerouted to regional hubs, including Kuala Lumpur, Senai, and Batam. Talk about an unexpected detour!
Travellers attempting to commute from Singapore to Malaysia on Friday night (Jan 10) found themselves stuck in a less-than-thrilling sequel of “Rush Hour.” At Woodlands Checkpoint, a human traffic jam formed as commuters braved not just the Friday peak period but also relentless rain pelting both countries. Some netizens shared their tales of woe, lamenting the three to four hours spent shuffling towards the border.
HDB Lift Troubles
Even HDB lifts weren’t spared from the wrath of the rainfall. On January 11, a Housing Board block in Serangoon had to temporarily shut down its lifts due to “water ingress,” according to Ang Mo Kio Town Council’s Facebook post. Residents were left staring at the buttons, probably wishing for an “instant dry” option.
Over in Choa Chu Kang on January 10, residents of Block 454 found themselves getting a cardio workout as two out of three lifts called it quits due to water seepage from the heavy rain. With only one lift soldiering on, it was either a test of patience or an opportunity to bond with neighbours while waiting.
What’s Ahead?
The weather in 2025 seems to be taking its cues from an unpredictable drama series, with potential for even wetter episodes ahead. However, the National Environment Agency (NEA) wasn’t caught off guard—they had forecasted the monsoon surge, warning of moderate to heavy thundery showers with windy and cool conditions.
On January 2, the Meteorological Service Singapore announced that Singapore is under a La Niña watch. This climate phenomenon, known for turning up the rain, suggests we might need to brace ourselves for more soggy days in the coming months. Until then, keep those umbrellas handy, because when the clouds roll in, Singaporeans know it’s time to make a splash—figuratively and literally.
