A segment of the boardwalk at MacRitchie Reservoir's Chemperai Trail was smashed straight through by a large tree. - Photo: Arti Mulchand
SINGAPORE: More than 300 trees were affected across the island when heavy and intense rainfall brought about by a Sumatra squall battered Singapore on Tuesday (Sept 17) evening.
Social media was filled with photos and videos of trees that were uprooted in various areas, including Beach Road, Xilin Avenue, Jalan Membina, on the Pan-Island Expressway before the Bukit Timah Expressway exit, and on the Central Expressway near the Yio Chu Kang Flyover.
An SBS Transit bus captain and passenger were taken to hospital conscious after a tree suddenly fell onto the bus they were in, at about 7.25pm along Yishun Avenue 7.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, National Parks Board (NParks) said most of the more-than-300 incidents involved snapped branches, but did not say how many trees fell.
“Our staff and contractors worked through the night to clear the obstructions, and we are following up to clear any remaining debris,” NParks said.
One affected area was the Central Catchment Nature Reserve’s MacRitchie Nature Trail, where several trees had fallen.
Affected parts of the boardwalk have been cordoned off for inspection and repairs, with signs directing visitors to use an alternative trail.
“For public safety, we urge members of the public to avoid entering parks, nature reserves and forested areas during and after bad weather, and to seek cover at the nearest shelter available,” said NParks.
“Park visitors should also adhere to the opening hours of our nature areas and stay on designated trails.”
Anyone affected by a fallen tree on public property can use the OneService mobile app to report the incident or call the NParks helpline on 1800-471-7300 for urgent cases, it added.
Arti Mulchand, who has been visiting MacRitchie Reservoir every weekday for the past three years, said she saw a fallen tree on the boardwalk of the Chemperai Trail on the morning of Sept 18.
“A segment of about a metre and a half of the metal boardwalk was smashed straight through by a relatively large tree that had fallen into the water,” the 47-year-old content strategist said.
A notice board along the boardwalk also appeared to have broken when the tree fell.
She added that the area was not cordoned off at the time and several people were seen walking over the fallen tree and damaged boardwalk.
In photos she shared with ST, several other trees have also fallen over the boardwalk and into the reservoir waters.
Mulchand saw some workers heading for the most damaged part of the boardwalk when she left at about 9.30am.
Meanwhile, Tiong Bahru MP Indranee Rajah said in a post on Facebook on Sept 18 that she had been doing house visits at Boon Tiong estate when the storm occurred.
“Due to the winds and heavy rainfall, a number of trees in our division were uprooted. Some cars and structures were also affected,” she said, adding that the wind was very strong.
Indranee said the Tanjong Pagar Town Council horticulture team and their contractors have been hard at work clearing the fallen trees and debris, and checking on the condition of nearby trees.
The property team will also follow up on the damage caused by the fallen trees and carry out the necessary rectification works, she added.
She said that those who had properties affected by the fallen trees can contact the Tanjong Pagar Town Council, should they need any assistance. - The Straits Times/ANN
