4-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) Torrential rains lashed across the city-state on the morning of May 4th, prompting the national water agency to issue flood warnings for numerous areas and causing significant disruptions at Changi Airport and the ongoing LIV Golf tournament on Sentosa.
At approximately 10.35 am, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) took to social media platform X to caution the public about the impending heavy rainfall expected to blanket “many areas of Singapore” between 10.35 am and 11.20 am. This alert was the latest in a series of posts that commenced as early as 6.27 am, warning citizens about the inclement weather conditions.
The national water agency further urged the public to steer clear of certain roads, including the TPE (Punggol West Flyover) and Jalan Pokok Serunai in Bedok, due to the incessant downpour. Additionally, flash flood alerts were issued for several locations, encompassing Upper Paya Lebar Service Road (from Lim Teck Boo Road to Rochdale Road) and Craig Road spanning from Duxton Road to Tanjong Pagar Road.
At Changi Airport, the relentless rain wreaked havoc, causing delays in outgoing flights and disruptions in baggage handling for incoming flights.
Mr. Reef Singh, 22, shared that his Scoot flight from Singapore to Sydney, initially scheduled for 10 am, was pushed back to 12.30 pm due to the adverse weather conditions. The pilot informed passengers that the heavy thunderstorm and the risk of lightning had prevented cargo handlers from loading the luggage onto the aircraft ahead of the near-eight-hour flight to Australia.
In a bid to comply with Sydney Airport’s 11 pm curfew (9 pm Singapore time), the pilot made the decision to depart without the passengers’ luggage, assuring that their belongings would be transported on the next available flight to Sydney, arriving the following morning.
“We were frustrated and annoyed when we heard the announcement,” Mr. Singh expressed, adding that he and his two travel companions would have preferred the flight to be cancelled entirely, enabling them to retrieve their luggage from the airport before boarding the subsequent flight. He further elaborated that despite residing in the city, the journey to the airport by car takes them over an hour.
For some passengers arriving at Changi, the ordeal continued as they endured nearly two-hour waits for their baggage due to the incessant rain. At Terminal 2, several passengers from at least four flights, including Singapore Airlines flights from Dubai and Munich, could be seen anxiously waiting at the baggage claim area. In a bid to alleviate the situation, airport staff distributed complimentary snacks like Milo packets and Oreo biscuits to the stranded travelers.
One such passenger, Mr. Robert Hall, an American engineer, had just completed an arduous journey spanning nearly 30 hours, passing through Washington DC, Dallas, and Tokyo before arriving in Singapore, only to face an additional two-hour wait for his luggage.
Despite the trying circumstances, the 58-year-old, who is in Singapore on business, remained understanding. “I understand that the weather cannot be predicted,” he remarked, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to check into his hotel early after the long journey.
In response to inquiries, Changi Airport Group acknowledged that the delays in baggage presentation were a direct consequence of the inclement weather and lightning warnings, prompting them to prioritize the safety of their ground handlers. The airport authority encouraged affected passengers to approach on-ground staff for complimentary refreshments and informed them of the option to exit and re-enter the baggage claim area once their luggage is ready for collection.
Furthermore, the airport noted that complimentary baggage delivery service is available for affected passengers on selected airlines. “Public announcements are being made in the terminals to keep passengers informed of any updates. We advise passengers to stay updated by checking with their respective airlines and monitoring the Changi Airport flight status page or Changi App for the latest information,” the statement added. “We apologize for the inconvenience caused.”
The torrential downpour also disrupted the LIV Golf event at Sentosa Golf Club, where tee-off times were repeatedly pushed back, initially to 10.45 am, then to 12.45 pm, and subsequently to 2 pm. The shotgun start, which involves all 54 golfers teeing off concurrently from different tees, was originally slated for 9.15 am.
Earlier, overcast skies had enveloped the Serapong Course, and a light drizzle progressively intensified into a heavy downpour, drenching the waterlogged greens. Golfers were compelled to seek refuge in the dining area and dressing rooms, striving to maintain their focus and keep warm amidst the unfavorable conditions.
On May 2nd, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) had warned of a wet start to May, forecasting moderate to heavy thundery showers in the late morning and afternoon on most days for the first fortnight of the month. The MSS cautioned that widespread thundery showers accompanied by gusty winds could occur on a few mornings.
