PUB issues flash flood risk alert for Jalan Seaview & Mountbatten Road areas

National water agency PUB issued a flood risk alert on Mar. 19, 2025.

The alert, issued at about 2:45pm, advised commuters to avoid the Jalan Seaview and Mountbatten Road areas for the next one hour, till about 3:45pm.

Earlier on Mar. 19, PUB issued warnings of heavy rain over many parts of Singapore.

Monsoon surge

Between Mar. 19 and 21, 2025, a surge of north-easterly winds, known also as a monsoon surge, is expected to form over the South China Sea.

For Singapore and the surrounding vicinity, the surge could bring windy and cooler conditions with periods of moderate to heavy showers, said the Meteorological Service Singapore in a Mar. 17 media advisory.

Residents of Singapore can also expect lower minimum temperatures of around 22°C during the monsoon surge, which will be the third such occurrence in 2025.

While the monsoon surge will usher in aircon weather for a few days, intense rainfall may overwhelm drains and canals temporarily, causing flash floods, warned PUB.

As such, PUB encouraged residents to stay informed by subscribing to the PUB Flood Alerts Telegram channel and adjust their travel plans if needed.

Jalan Seaview

Jalan Seaview is a low-lying area subject to tidal influence, and flooding occurred on Jan. 10 earlier this year during a monsoon surge.

While PUB had upgraded the roadside drains at Jalan Seaview in 2014 to increase their drainage capacity, some areas in the vicinity of Jalan Seaview remain susceptible to flooding as the road levels are marginally above the high tide level.

To fight such floods, and prepare for future monsoon surges, the government is investing in drainage upgrading projects, some of which are slated to commence this year.

In the longer term, the government is also planning to reclaim and build Long Island, which will protect the East Coast area, including Jalan Seaview, from rising sea levels and tidal floods.

Top photo from Google Maps.