Unless you have been living under a rock, you would have known that a sinkhole has appeared in Tanjong Katong.
The rare incident happened at around 5pm on Saturday (July 26), at the junction of Tanjong Katong South Road and Mountbatten Road, near a Public Utilities Board (PUB) work site outside the One Amber condominium.
According to aerial footage circulating online, a Mazda car had fallen into a waterlogged sinkhole on a newly paved road that continued to collapse. The water even overflowed onto the road surface, causing massive traffic jams in the area. Some parts of the road were later temporarily closed.
In a Facebook post, PUB said two major water pipelines were damaged in the sinkhole and have been shut off. A female driver, who was conscious, was taken to Raffles Hospital by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
Shakti, a 42-year-old businessman who lives in a nearby condominium, said he heard a loud noise during the incident. When he looked out of his window, he saw water from the sinkhole spilling onto the road and several workers running over in panic to check on the situation. However, he did not witness the car falling in.
“I only found out later that a sinkhole had formed. Just two or three minutes later, I heard police sirens and the road was sealed off.”
Resident Lee Xunzi, a 42-year-old teacher, said he drove past the area in the evening and noticed water on the road, ankle-deep in some parts. Vehicles were still driving through then, and the road had not yet been cordoned off.
A 68-year-old retiree surnamed Lim shared that earlier that same day, at around 12.40am, there was a separate water pipe burst near some private houses nearby, which lasted for about an hour.
When Lianhe Zaobao reporters arrived at the scene at around 7pm, police had already cordoned off a wide area, and two roads spanning about 600 metres were fully closed. Repair works were ongoing at the scene. The area is surrounded by condominiums and landed homes, and many residents were seen watching nearby. A large number of enforcement officers were also present.
Following the incident, Bus Services 36 and 48 were diverted, affecting around five bus stops.
PUB’s Director of Water Reclamation (Network), Herman Ching, said at the scene in a media interview that the sinkhole spanned about two lanes and was two to three metres deep. Authorities were working to drain the water so the car could be lifted out before filling up the hole. Workers will also inspect the surrounding area to ensure no other sinkholes are present.
According to a PUB notice posted at the construction site, sewer pipe-laying works along Amber Gardens and Amber Road are scheduled from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2026.
Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC MP Goh Pei Ming and Mountbatten MP Goh Sze Kee visited the site.
Female driver is fine
Goh Pei Ming told the media that the female driver was rescued by on-site workers and sent to the hospital. She is currently undergoing scans.
In a Facebook post, he added that relevant agencies would be working through the night to resolve the issue in a safe and orderly manner, and appealed to residents and commuters for their understanding.
It is understood that the driver only suffered shoulder pain and is able to walk on her own.
Grace Fu: Ordered a thorough investigation and urgent repairs
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said in a Facebook post that she understands the concerns of nearby residents and workers.
She has instructed PUB, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to work together to thoroughly investigate the cause of the sinkhole and carry out urgent repairs.
A spokesperson for BCA said engineers conducted preliminary inspections of the nearby One Amber condominium and landed properties after the incident, confirming that the buildings were not affected.
The spokesperson added that, as a safety measure and to ensure the stability of surrounding buildings and the worksite, stabilisation works have already begun. BCA, LTA, and PUB are closely monitoring the repair progress and overall safety of the area.
