Singapore ushered in the wettest New Year's Day in a long time.

Two consecutive days of rain

Signs that the start of 2018 will be a wet and wild affair were evident on the last day of 2017.

With less than 24 hours to go before the year was up, the sky emptied itself on the tiny island set in the sea.

And continued to pelt it with incessant rain for two consecutive days.

The thundery showers is due to a monsoon surge in the South China Sea.

Countdown parties carried on as planned

Faced with the inclement weather conditions, some 200,000 foolhardy people still showed up at the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2018, which is in its 13th year and is organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Even with the rain constantly threatening to force people back indoors, the minute-long hourly fireworks display scheduled from 8pm onwards in the bay area proceeded as advertised -- and brought out the onlookers.

Spectators huddled under umbrellas and in ponchos to catch a glimpse of the action.

The big event was the six-minute fireworks extravaganza at midnight that still pulled in the crowds -- despite the rain making the partying more inconvenient.

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Short version

Long version

On the ground level with umbrellas

From a vantage point with excellent photography equipment

At the Floating Platform

Several other countdown events took place across the island, with the rain serving as a dampener or enabler:

Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall

Clarke Quay

Siloso Beach Party